Official Press Release: Braves Acquire Renteria

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 8, 2005 12:34 PM EST

Braves Acquire Shortstop Edgar Renteria From Red Sox
Infielder Andy Marte sent to Boston

DALLAS, Texas - The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have acquired four-time All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria and cash from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Andy Marte. Renteria is under contract through the 2008 season, with an option for 2009.

A lifetime .288 hitter, Renteria returns to the National League after a one-year stint with the Red Sox. He previously spent six seasons (1999-2004) with the St. Louis Cardinals and three campaigns (1996-98) with the Florida Marlins.

Known as a consummate team player, Renteria has been a part of two N.L. championship clubs - the 1997 world champion Marlins and the 2004 Cardinals. The 10-year veteran has earned the Silver Slugger Award as the NL's top hitting shortstop three times (2000, '02, '03) and is a two-time (2002, '03) Gold Glove winner. Since his first full season in 1997, Renteria ranks second (to the Yankees' Derek Jeter) in hits among shortstops, while also placing second (to Nomar Garciaparra) in doubles, fourth in walks and fifth in RBI.

"We are absolutely thrilled to announce the addition of Edgar Renteria to our club," Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager John Schuerholz said. "He is a proven winner and a tremendous ballplayer."

The Atlanta Braves, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991. Since then, Braves teams have earned a record 14 consecutive division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Atlanta Braves games are telecast nationally on TBS and regionally on Turner South; the Braves can be heard locally on 640 GST and 96 Rock in Atlanta and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.

RENTERIA'S MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS

YEAR TEAM LG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG

1996 Fla NL 106 431 68 133 18 3 5 31 33 68 .309 .358 .399

1997 Fla NL 154 617 90 171 21 3 4 52 45 108 .277 .327 .340

1998 Fla NL 133 517 79 146 18 2 3 31 48 78 .282 .347 .342

1999 StL NL 154 585 92 161 36 2 11 63 53 82 .275 .334 .400

2000 StL NL 150 562 94 156 32 1 16 76 63 77 .278 .346 .423

2001 StL NL 141 493 54 128 19 3 10 57 39 73 .260 .314 .371

2002 StL NL 152 544 77 166 36 2 11 83 49 57 .305 .364 .439

2003 StL NL 157 587 96 194 47 1 13 100 65 54 .330 .394 .480

2004 StL NL 149 586 84 168 37 0 10 72 39 78 .287 .327 .401

2005 Bos AL 153 623 100 172 36 4 8 70 55 100 .276 .335 .385

TOTALS 1449 5545 834 1595 300 21 91 635 489 775 .288 .345 .399

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Ugh

Renteria is a poor man's Rafael Furcal. He'll hit about .280 with a a mediocre on-base percentage, few steals, modest defense and not too much power. Everyone is pointing as his 2003 season where he was legitimately great. But he was 27, when players usually peak. There's a reason they are called career years.

For the next three years of Renteria's decline, the Braves will fork over millions of dollars and the man who was tapped as the #1 prospect in all of baseball by John Sickels and Baseball Prospectus and a top prospect by Baseball America. Marte could be Chipper Jones with a glove at best, a decent fill-in at worst.

I'm aware that they had no confidence in Betemit but I can't think why. And how on Earth do you pay such a huge price for such a modest talent? The reason is because they had restructured Jones' contract and said they were going to spend money. But instead of having the balls to say, "Hey, we wanted to spend money, but everyone good is gone. So intead, we'll save it and break the bank next year", they went out and bought the most expensive thing someone would sell them.

Occasionally blogging on the Braves since 2005 at http://michaelsiegel.net/?sectionid=4

by mhsiegel14 on Dec 8, 2005 4:49 PM EST reply actions

Remember

There's one thing to remember...the Braves are only on the hook here for about $6 million per season for Renteria. The Red Sox are throwing in a lot of money. Renteria is costing almost $7 million less per season than Furcal. That's really not too bad.

But I do agree with you when you about Betamit. Why Betamit didn't at least get a shot is beyond me, and why the cost of not giving him that shot tuned out to be Andy Marte...well, that's even more puzzling.

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 8, 2005 5:04 PM EST reply actions

Good point

You raise a good point, Joe. but keep in mind: Furcal was an 8-9 win player last year (according to BP) and has averaged 5-6 wins above replacement for his career and is just entering his prime. Renteria is a 4-5 win player sinking past his prime and was worth 2-3 wins last year. I think Furcal is more likely to be "worth" $13 million than Renteria to be worth $6 million.

I hope I'm wrong and, as you point, it's not like they just signed Burnett or something. But I still think Furcal+Marte is worth more than Renteria+$7 million.

Occasionally blogging on the Braves since December 2005 at http://michaelsiegel.net/?sectionid=4

by mhsiegel14 on Dec 8, 2005 6:20 PM EST reply actions

I'm With You...

I hear where you're coming from. I hope it turns out ok as well. It seems like they find a way to make things work out. So until they fail, I really can't complain too much.

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 8, 2005 8:48 PM EST up reply actions

Renteria

Hey my first time here! Good stuff Joe.

Bobby doesn't have an unkind word to say about any of his players (except maybe Kenny Lofton) so he'll say that he had confidence that Wilson Betemit should have had a shot. But look at the trade from this perspective. The Braves are going to start a second year RF, a 3rd year 1B, a second year catcher, a second year LF (as of now)and they have a pitching staff in a state of flux. Throwing a range challenged second year SS (the second most important defensive position) who has only had 2 really good seasons in pro ball (AA year and last year) would have required too much faith. Marte is one of the most over hyped prospects to ever come out of the Braves system. When I say over hyped its just that while he's been good he hasn't been dominant in any of his minor league levels. Take a moment to contrast his minor league career with Marcus Giles' Andruw's or Chippers. Solid performance sure but not that can't miss dominant year like Andruw's 96 season. Now I am a stats guy and I believe that Marte is going to be a good ballplayer but they had to do something at SS and getting Renteria and cash straight up is a good deal. ER will solidify the infield, hit above position average and for a reasonable price. Marte may probably go on and be stud but leveraging potential for known ability is how the Braves have been winners 14 consecutive years.

by Johnny on Dec 9, 2005 12:40 PM EST reply actions

Welcome Johnny!

Excellent points all around Johnny. I was thinking about that the other day...we definitely need a little experience on such a young team. I think Marte will be a pretty good player eventually, but I'm actually getting excited about Renteria's arrival. At first I was disappointed, but I think he's already growing on me!

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 13, 2005 12:59 AM EST up reply actions