Braves 2010 Season in Review: Omar Infante

The VC took a hard hit yesterday, Omar was mighty helpful to the Braves. Auto-Single will be missed. Maybe Wren will bring him back someday, I’ve got a feeling he’d be welcome.

First, let me say that Infante remains an undervalued player despite his all star appearance, and I will miss him.

Secondly, I commend Frank Wren for moving quickly and decisively to fill an obvious need in the Braves’ batting order.

Finally, the initial reaction from most Braves fans seems to be that Wren “stole” Dan Uggla from the Marlins. Let me explain the obvious elements behind this “larceny”. (1) Uggla is under contractual control only for the 2011 season, and has already said no to a 4 year, $48 million contract extension proposal by the Marlins. (2) Net, the Marlins dumped $4 million of 2011 salary in the trade. (3) Uggla is on the wrong side of 30. (4) Uggla is basically a one-position player and a below-average defensive player.

Don’t misunderstand what I am saying here. Uggla fits the Braves’ current offensive needs better than Infante, and I view Dunn as a marginal loss. This trade has the potential to solve a key problem and work out nicely for the Braves. But unless Wren can sign Uggla to a reasonable contract extension, then I for one doubt this will go down in history as a turning point for the franchise.

In the end, Wren is exactly right when he says that the club must hold onto its top minor league prospects and continue to retool their major league roster from within the organization. I would just add that Freddie Freeman appears to be the last projectable major league-quality offensive prospect on the horizon for the next couple of seasons.

Uggla was silly to forego the 4yr/$48MM extension…at his age.

Florida wanted to parlay some of the savings into the C from Toronto, John Buck. They are obviously still interested in turning a profit from all their revenue sharing proceeds.

I don’t think we are planning on keeping him past 2011 if he wants $12MM or more for multiple years. We’d just wind up substituting his salary for Chips. Not the worst thing in the world, but still a little older than I’d like to skew with those kind of $$.

I am stoked for what the guy can bring us this year, and we got rid of some redundancy in LHers in our pen…we already have Vents and O’Flat….this cost us nothing in the short term, and Wren should be applauded for getting out in front of everyone.

I would like to keep Prads at 2nd though. He is better at 2nd, and also filling in for Chipper will be an easier transition from 2nd than from a LF mentality. Better to stick Uggla in LF and get him used to it, his legs will keep him from playing 2nd for many more years anyhow.

Now let’s go get Upton.