2012 Shortstop

by Alex H on Jul 30, 2011 1:27 AM EDT

I know we are all completely caught up with the trade deadline, but I thought I would shift the focus away from that for a moment. What are the plans for shortstop for 2012? Let me start by saying that I hate seeing Alex Gonzalez come to the plate. It drives me insane, especially when he is hitting any higher than 7 (I actually prefer 7 because we can get someone who can draw a walk, like McLouth, to clear the pitcher all the time). However, I just looked at the list of potential free agents at the shortstop position, and the field is quite thin. Other than Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins, there is no one worth a damn on it. Obviously those two are way out of our price range, and Rollins is overrated (Jose is worth every penny IMO). Here is the list from Cot's.

* - player whose current contract includes 2012 option

Shortstops
Yuniesky Betancourt MIL *
Ronny Cedeno PIT
Adam Everett CLE
Rafael Furcal LAD
Alex Gonzalez ATL
J.J. Hardy BAL
Cesar Izturis BAL
John McDonald TOR
Augie Ojeda ARI
Jose Reyes NYM
Nick Punto STL
Edgar Renteria CIN
Jose Reyes NYM
Jimmy Rollins PHI
Ramon Santiago DET
Marco Scutaro BOS *

Jack Wilson SEA

Like I said, when I look at this list, I see 2 players who are outside the realm of possibility, then a bunch of Mendoza's offensively (not literally but you get the point).

So as much as I hate Gonzalez offensively, I'm not sure anyone on that list is better than he is defensively, and they are all pretty inept with the bat (except maybe Furcal but his injury risk is way too high). Does his defense warrant signing him to another 1 year deal until one of our prospects is ready?

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At this point you at least have to mention Pastornicky...

Don’ you?

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by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 1:35 AM EDT reply actions

*Don’t
We really need an edit option.

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by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

We will keep gonzalez

He is not that expensive and can play defense, I expect us to acquire either a 3rd baseman or a LF with pop,Aramis Ramirez is a free agent and all we will really need is defense at SS with the potential lineup we could have

by cjones2010 on Jul 30, 2011 1:42 AM EDT reply actions

Fredi, is that you?

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Must be... nobody else would find it reasonable to keep SeaBass.

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by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions

all we will really need is defense at SS

Oh dear…

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BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009

by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem is that there is no offense to be found on that list. We might have to resign him for his defense

by Alex H on Jul 30, 2011 1:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

There's plenty of offense on that list.

Just not with anybody that’s a realistic option…

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by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

no we won't

I’ve read rumblings that this winter will involve us camping on Reyes’s front doorstep.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 30, 2011 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

That would be idiotic

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by ChopMaster on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 PM CDT (joined Jul 19, 2010)

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by biggentleben on Jul 30, 2011 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions

this

no way he’s worth what he’ll be paid, especially by the end of the deal.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 30, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

The only way

We would be in the sweepstakes for Reyes is if Chip retires and we are able to dump Lowes salary which probably wont happen but if we are in the sweepstakes and do sign him he would be a great lead off hitter but would still need a LF

by cjones2010 on Jul 30, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Salcedo...

Bring him up, ready or not!

by BronxBraveFan on Jul 30, 2011 2:03 AM EDT reply actions

for him to play 3B?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 30, 2011 4:05 AM EDT up reply actions

his bat may be ready before too long, but his defense. In particular his arm, is not ready yet.

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by MWhitexx on Jul 30, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I supsect 2k12 will be a competition between A-Gon and Pastornicky.

by Broccoman on Jul 30, 2011 2:16 AM EDT reply actions

I sense little or no competition there.

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by SuperNewb on Jul 30, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

OHH HEY

I just woke up from a coma I fell into after the 2009 season. Why is there an SS competition? Can’t we just put our young stud SS in the lineup? I mean, I see he is batting .310/.389/.449/.838. What’s the problem here?

by DreamWithinADream on Jul 30, 2011 2:51 AM EDT reply actions

/sadface

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 2:56 AM EDT up reply actions

the problem is this

stud SS

Pastornicky is a good prospect, but “stud” SS? he’s probably a reserve MI player at the ML level.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 30, 2011 4:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh

Escobar

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by ChopMaster on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 PM CDT (joined Jul 19, 2010)

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by biggentleben on Jul 30, 2011 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I've been begging for a one year deal for sea bass

If pastornicky keeps this up give him every opportunity in the world. But I think it would be in the best interest of the team to have him around next year.

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by JKowalek on Jul 30, 2011 5:50 AM EDT reply actions

Pastornicky will get a shot

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure he’s one of the youngest players in AAA and holding his own in Gwinnett. He seems to have quite a few errors, but the Freeman Factor should help there. I’m up for giving the kid a chance….a quality cheap SS will be a big budget help.

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by rico43 on Jul 30, 2011 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

I would try to see if Gonzalez would take a low-grade one-year deal

One that would keep him valuable as a defensive replacement, yet also allow Pastornicky the chance to start with Gonzalez there to give him a breather now and then and not hurt the team defensively. With our pitchers, losing that defense is a bigger issue when the replacement comes in, unless you’re bringing Hanley off the bench for Pastornicky. He should have a very solid defensive replacement for days off, akin to Raffy Belliard with Jeff Blauser.

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by ChopMaster on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 PM CDT (joined Jul 19, 2010)

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by biggentleben on Jul 30, 2011 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

100% agreed.

Really don’t think we can let Alex walk away without at least trying to keep him around one more year, on the cheap.

Our crappy lucky team *WAS* better than your good unlucky team.

by Richard R on Jul 30, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

that's what I see...

Sea Bass on a 1 yr deal at his current salary, maybe a little less, with an option for a second year, allowing him and Pastornicky to battle for the job next spring.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 30, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Jed Lowrie...

That is all, thanks.

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by bwellnjonesco on May 19, 2011 4:13 PM PDT

by Klemson Krash on Jul 30, 2011 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

The organization turned the shortstop position into a shithole

If you’re going to get rid of a premier young SS for whatever perceived “attitude problems”, at least make sure you’ve got a reliable back up plan. Absolutely irresponsible.

There’s no present and there’s really no future at SS. Pastornicky isn’t as good as a lot of you think. Lipka has struggled and is a ways away. Salcedo is terrible on D and probably won’t stick at SS.

Way to go, Braves, way to go.

by DreamWithinADream on Jul 30, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Wow how the fck can you reliably say pastornicky isn’t as good as people think? Why don’t you let him prove himself before you right him off? k?

by DustinSmith on Jul 30, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Pastornicky definitely has a good enough bat, the question is his arm. I think he’d be adequate at worst,

by Broccoman on Jul 30, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, while i agree that escobar is a very good young SS. His attitude problems weren’t “perceived” as you put it. I think it is pretty clear he has a bad attitude and seems to be pretty much an asshole.

by DustinSmith on Jul 30, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

He also seems to be one of the top 3 SS in baseball

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Also true…lol, we just have no luck with trading away SS

by DustinSmith on Jul 30, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, Id say he is more like 4th or 5th behind jose, tulo, asdrubal, and maybe rollins

by DustinSmith on Jul 30, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d say he is ahead of Cabrera, and I think it’s a no-doubter that he is ahead of Rollins at this point.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Although

you can’t forget about the almighty Jeter! lol……

by DustinSmith on Jul 30, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Tulo, Hanley, Reyes

which one do you think he’s better than to rank top 3? Top 5, probably? Top 3, I ain’t putting him above any of those 3.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 30, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d put him above Hanley in that group – for this season.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Just...

…move Prado to SS. I’m sure he would be serviceable there. Salcedo can play third. Get a LF somewhere.

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by Bravosbum on Jul 30, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Prado could barely play 2nd, and he’s struggled a bit at 3rd. Why on earth would you think he could play SS?

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 30, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

You seriously have no idea about the Braves

Pastornicky has a great bat, I really do see him as a Blauser-esque player. He may be just okay defensively, but we have great guys coming up in the system, one of whom is regarded as an MLB-quality defender right now in Andrelton Simmons. A great defender paired with Pastornicky would work along the lines of Blauser/Belliard in the hey day of the Braves dynasty. Most teams would give their right and left arms for a future in their system at SS like the Braves have coming up the ranks right now. I would wager to say that only two or three organizations have a future in the minors at the position that could compete with the Braves.

Lipka and Salcedo are not considered long-term shortstops in our organization, so referencing them simply shows a lack of knowledge about the team in general.

Way to post, bro, way to post.

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by ChopMaster on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 PM CDT (joined Jul 19, 2010)

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by biggentleben on Jul 30, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well depends how ready Pastornicky is

DOB thinks he’ll be ready about midway through 2012, so Braves could get a 1-year stopgap veteran at SS

My vote would be for Scutaro, since Sox likely won’t pick up his option
If that falls through, then maybe Wilson or Cedeno

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by TurnerTheBurner on Jul 30, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe Furcal on a one year deal?

Hardy signed an extension with the O’s, btw, so he’s not a FA.

by JMar99 on Jul 30, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Cardinals traded for him today

his contract has a $12-million team option for 2012.

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by HEYJUDE on Jul 30, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a very hard time believing they’re going to pick up that option even if he goes gangbusters to close out the season.

by JMar99 on Jul 31, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Furcal

I would love for Wren to sign Furcal to a 1yr deal after the Cardinals drop his option. Furcal stock is really low right now. Plus Pastornicky is really young and can benefit from a full year in AAA next year. I doubt this will happen though, unless Fucal has changed his agent since reportedly signling with the Braves and then backing out.

by deewill23 on Aug 1, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I would rather see a trade for someone like Infante who can fill in at SS and 2B. If Prado is our everyday 3B, who will back up Uggla. Please don’t say Conrad, Lugo, Hernandez, or Lucus.

by rxadam on Jul 30, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions