Braves Avoid Arbitration With Martin Prado, Re-Sign Jack Wilson
by Scott Coleman on Jan 13, 2012 7:15 PM EST
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PrintHey! The Atlanta Braves made a move! And not just one, but two moves. Frank Wren must have finally returned from Hawaii.
The first move of the day was the re-signing of veteran utility man Jack Wilson. He will receive a base salary of $1 million dollars, and it appears there are some unknown incentives included as well, most likely for games started or plate appearances recorded. He will serve as the immediate backup behind Tyler Pastornicky at shortstop and can also fill in at second base and third base in a pinch.
The bigger news came with Martin Prado. The Braves and Prado avoided arbitration and settled for a one-year, $4.75 million dollar deal. Prado has been rumored throughout the offseason to potentially be on the move, but it appears Atlanta is moving closer to keeping their left fielder and utility man for 2012. Personally, this salary figure was about a million bucks less than I figured he would sign for, which could be big for Frank Wren.
Yay for some moves today!
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Very interesting quote on Jack Wilson (D O'Brien)
…Now that Gonzalez is gone (he was non-tendered and signed with the Brewers), the Braves wanted a veteran influence to help Pastornicky.
Long before the Braves called, Wilson was already providing that. After the Braves lost to the Phillies to end the season – the one and only night of Pastornicky’s call-up – Wilson and Pastornicky got to talking about defense. Wilson invited Pastornicky to come to his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif. to work out in his backyard infield, which they plan to do early next month.
"When I first came up, I had Pat Meares who took me under his wing," said Wilson, who broke in with the Pirates. "He’d been a major league shortstop for nine or 10 years. Now you have an opportunity to do what somebody did for you. Tyler seems like a great kid, and I’m looking forward to helping him out any way I can."
Glad you’re back, Jack.
"Sir Stealth, Stay stealth.. Your a moron" (jrod1142), 12/15/11 (the epic FWren Fortitude FanPost)
by carpengui on Jan 13, 2012 7:42 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/01/13/braves-sign-if-wilson-to-1-year-deal/
"Sir Stealth, Stay stealth.. Your a moron" (jrod1142), 12/15/11 (the epic FWren Fortitude FanPost)
That’s why I loved the Wilson signing in the first place last season. Jack has always been an A+ clubhouse guy.
Freeman isn’t on Heyward’s level in terms of tools, skills, or baseball IQ–but it’s fair to say Freeman has failed to meet the modest expectations in place for him - Capitol Avenue Club (May 28th, 2011)
good to hear that
and make me feel better that the Braves didn’t just pony up an extra $0.2 mil to get Ronny Cedeno
by LEastCoastBears on Jan 13, 2012 8:40 PM EST up reply actions
hmm
could be the 1mil saved by Prado signing for less than expected allowed us to get Wilson?
only reason I’m thinking that is because we’ve been portrayed to be dead broke this offseason
I disagree on the Prado amount
If arb years go 40%/60%80%, and granted, that’s a bit iffy, But Prado made $3.1M in 2011, he should have projected to add about $1.5M for 2012, or $4.6M. He got $4.75M, seems right in line to me.
"First!"...Who gives a damn if you are first
So I guess the 25 man is pretty much set...
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
3B Chipper
SS Pastornicky
RF Heyward
CF Bourn
LF Prado
Bench
C Ross
1B/LF Hinske
IF Wilson
RF/LF Diaz
CF/UT Costanza/Sutton/other
Staff
Hudson Hanson Jurrjens Beachy Minor (with Delgado/Teheran battling for the 5th spot if JJ gets dealt)
Bullpen
Kimbrel Venters Medlen O’Flaherty Martinez pick 2 from Hoover/Gearrin/Varvaro/etc
http://sportsandgrits.com/
Hmmm...
McCann leading off? Pastornicky batting cleanup? That sounds crazy! ;)
by AttyinDuluth on Jan 14, 2012 3:47 AM EST up reply actions
Has PeMo signed elsewhere, yet?
I’d like to see him back on the team if he has not.
by JohnRocker4CyYoung on Jan 13, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Still like to see Cody Ross fill that final roster spot.
by waysouth on Jan 14, 2012 12:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m pretty sure he still wants to start.
"One thing I’ve learned as a Phillies fan is that a lot of people hate our team and its fans."-commenter on The Good Phight
by Chipper Pwns on Jan 14, 2012 3:03 AM EST up reply actions
I’m sure he does, too. But that doesn’t explain a “no thanks” to having him as our fourth outfielder.
Someone will likely take him up as a starter, so there’s no reason for him to come to ATL as a backup. Our best scenario to get him would be to just spell Prado all over the field to make room for Ross, but that appears unlikely at this point.
"One thing I’ve learned as a Phillies fan is that a lot of people hate our team and its fans."-commenter on The Good Phight
by Chipper Pwns on Jan 15, 2012 2:24 AM EST up reply actions
AH, the move I waited all offseason for!
$1 million for Jack Wilson!
I can sleep easy for the first night in three months.
Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.
by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT
Two excellent moves. I have been hoping we would bring Jack back for our bench IF spot vacated by Brooks.
I just hope Tyler P can provide some offense from the position…
I also like the dollar amount we worked out with Prado. That’s a good value for him.
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 Jan 13, 2012 8:46 PM EST reply actions
YES!
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 13, 2012 9:34 PM EST reply actions
where have you seen the Prado news by the way
or are you the source?
Spring Training is the greatest thing that can't end soon enough
The fact that Wilson doesn't specialize at 3B
makes me want to have Prado even more Having said that, it also makes me want to get a better 4 th OF in place of Diaz for when Prado does need to fill in. Its great to have Prado be utility, but that causes you to need a better bench at the same time because he will be someone to fill in for him.
by thejivingturkey on Jan 14, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Goodbye playoffs!
Jack Wilson is back for the ride!
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
by DopeFalcons on Jan 13, 2012 10:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I don't know about everyone else
But I am PUMPED about this team. Same team that was on pace for 95+ wins through 80% of the season, except we got rid of Lowe, and you can only expect (hope) that Heyward and Prado will both be better. Sure there can be some injuries and slumps from anyone, but all in all, this is the same team as last year, only I think a little better. The wildcard (no pun intended, going for the division) here is hoping Hanson can stay healthy all year.
RELIEF
The moment I heard they retained JW for the year I was relieved…terrific positive influence and phenomenal defender. Wish’d we’d a made the play-offs last year so he could’ve experienced that, but now, maybe this year. This should sure-up the infield if there is an injury to Chipper. Even greater news about Prado, I think he was being undersold on open market. If he makes it through this year he’ll likely be around next to play third.
So Yankees just did their Yankee thing and made some big moves
I think Kuroda was a waste for them but hey I’m not rich
Just one less quality starting pitcher that won't be in D.C. or Miami....
…..that’s all I get out of this news.
by Undocorkscrew on Jan 13, 2012 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Kuroda is as good if not better than Hughes, Nova, Garcia, etc. He would be a solid number 3 in that rotation.
Just because KK didn’t work for the Braves, doesn’t mean that all Japanese pitchers are busts. Kuroda has had a great road ERA in his career.
by LEastCoastBears on Jan 13, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
I think if they were going to go sign someone it should have been Edwin Jackson. Young, durable, and entering his prime
by drumzalicious on Jan 14, 2012 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Surprised the Yankees got him
since he had been so insistent on a west coast gig.
"Sir Stealth, Stay stealth.. Your a moron" (jrod1142), 12/15/11 (the epic FWren Fortitude FanPost)
I’m envious. I don’t even want Montero, just any big time news.
"One thing I’ve learned as a Phillies fan is that a lot of people hate our team and its fans."-commenter on The Good Phight
by Chipper Pwns on Jan 14, 2012 3:06 AM EST up reply actions
The Wilson is a good move to me because
He is unquestionably a backup and we picked him up for 1 mil.
If Pastornicky busts, and we need a new starter, Wilson would remain the backup.
If we had spent 3 mil on a borderline vet/starter, we would be stuck with them w/o money to get a real starter in the event that Pnicky busts. This fits the scenarios well:
Pastornicky is good, he plays most every day, and we have a cheap backup with good defense and who is a good influence. His weak bat doesn’t hurt us this way.
If he is not good, we didn’t waste money on a borderline backup, we can make a trade and get a real SS if we must, and JW stays the backup.
My guess is that Wren was pretty sure...
…from the beginning he would go with Pastornicky and keep Prado. Exploring options is just a show of professional consideration and open mindedness. If he just made that choice from the beginning, we would all question whether there was a better SS option or a better LF option, but in exploring the possibilities before making no moves this OS, we are all on his page. We all know, shit, these are our best options, no doubt.
I don't think the arb deal with Prado has any bearing on whether he's traded.
It makes him a better “keep” commodity, because they aren’t paying as much for his performance, but also a better “trade” commodity, because his surplus value to the trade partner is greater. I still expect the Braves to continue fielding offers/drumming up interest in Prado, and would be fine with seeing him depart in the right deal.
You know, this is totally unfounded. But I get this thought that Prado is excited by the chance to prove his true value in 2012 before he wants to go for a long term contract. The idea of challenging a competitor like Prado like that is bound to be mutually beneficial. And he won’t stop playing afterwards like Reyes will.
Sgt.: Pointed stick? Oh, oh, oh. We want to learn how to defend ourselves against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you eh? Well I'll tell you something my lad. When you're walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after you with a bunch of loganberries, don't come crying to me! Now, the passion fruit.
The 2012 Braves Look Just Like the 2011 Braves
If my memory is correct, our off-season goal was a right handed, power hitting outfielder and a one-year major league ready short stop to bridge to Pastornicky. It doesn’t seem like the Braves front office achieved any of these goals. The 2012 Braves look just like the 2011 Braves who folded in September. Yes, we have plenty of talent. Hopefully some key players will rebound from last year, but the competition in the NL East has gotten tougher. Braves need some financial flexibility to compete with the big guys. I’m not feeling very optimistic about this season, but let the games begin. Prove me wrong, Braves. Go Braves!
by Beavercreekbravesfan on Jan 16, 2012 12:14 PM EST reply actions
I agree with you
I think we are putting quite a few of our eggs into the “hope Heyward and Prado have the breakout year they were supposed to have in 2011” basket. If they falter, our lineup is mediocre at best at the plate.
"This stadium is upside down!!!" -Jim Powell, 4/5/2010
by Cammando2317 on Jan 16, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
If they falter, the Braves are in the same spot they were in last season, minus the Uggla slump, Scott Proctor, and Derek Lowe…not too bad a spot to be in.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
I see your point and you make a good one.
But are the 2012 Nats the 2011 Nats? Are the 2012 Marlins the 2011 Marlins? Did the 2011 Phillies lighten the weight of their punch?
I respect your point but I think we’ve stayed the same and our divisional competition has only gotten better… much better. That my cause for concern.
"This stadium is upside down!!!" -Jim Powell, 4/5/2010
by Cammando2317 on Jan 16, 2012 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
Staying the same is the right move when your team is as young as the Braves are.
The Marlins paid top dollar for an aging closer that’s showed steady deterioration in his peripherals, a starter that’s not far behind in years but has maintained good performance, and another player that is amazing when healthy but also a perpetual injury risk.
The Nats added a decent pitcher with some warts and then gave him a long-term extension.
The Phillies overpaid huge on a closer that has had issues as recently as 2010, added a DH and a sub-par utility man. Otherwise, they just re-signed their guy, who is also getting long-in-tooth. They basically got a year older, which is not a positive when nearly your entire team is on the wrong side of 30.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
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