Span at the top of the Braves list

[Physics Guy]

Let's call him what he is: an above average starting CF with a team-friendly contract. We have no reason to dump his salary unless we get at least an average player in return that fills an area of need (SP or MI). Obviously supply and demand come into play, but there are several teams out there looking for a CF that doesn't cost per year what Span has coming the next two. His contract is for 11.25M over the next two years with a 9M optin (.5M buyout). Upton and Bourn are most likely going for over 10M per season. After that the next best is Pagan. Would you pay him big money?

[TheLeviathan]

Would you pay him big money?

 

The difference is they only cost you money. Span costs less money but other assets as well.

[Physics Guy]

Would you pay him big money?

 

The difference is they only cost you money. Span costs less money but other assets as well.

 

The "Would You pay him big money?" quote was in reference to Pagan.

 

Agreed, but money is the issue for the Braves, Rays and some others. They have assets to trade and want to save money. Otherwise wouldn't they sign Bourn and Upton and be done with it?

[Kwak]

Totally agree about Span's issues, plus one needs to add the lapses in concentration at the plate and on the bases. You got to sell high on the guy. Still cannot believe that there are Twins' fans who value Span (and his age and his contract) more than Revere (and his age and his contract).... He has to go.

 

Span is a very good CF and leadoff man who is on a pretty team friendly contract. Revere is a slap hitting, noodle arm (albeit great range) who projects to be a PR and a 4th OF.

 

The difference between Span and Revere is quite Large. Span's one real "weakness" is getting picked off to much, Revere's weaknesses include: zero arm, zero power, zero ability to draw a walk (because of his zero power)

 

And I actually am one of the Revere supporters here, but its just reality.

Amen to all about Span. He is one of the most productive players on the team--OK a bad team, but still Span would represent an improvement over most CFs--especially on a cost-adjusted basis. Ergo, money that didn't have to be spent to get those 4 Wins can be applied to upgrade at another position to improve the WAR rating there.

[biggentleben]

Would you pay him big money?

 

The difference is they only cost you money. Span costs less money but other assets as well.

 

The "Would You pay him big money?" quote was in reference to Pagan.

 

Agreed, but money is the issue for the Braves, Rays and some others. They have assets to trade and want to save money. Otherwise wouldn't they sign Bourn and Upton and be done with it?

 

The money isn't really the issue for the Braves. They're still trying hard to sign Bourn. However, they cannot afford a mistake contract, so going after Pagan at 4/36 would be poorly spent resources, so if they don't get Bourn, Span's salary relative to talent becomes a big factor, but they will be going hard after Bourn.

[Riverbrian]

The Braves and Twins make sense to me.

 

No matter what our own personal thoughts are about Denard Span and his talent level. I think we can agree that Atlanta would love to have him. How much would they love to have him is the big question. I'd do Span plus to get a deal done for one of those young arms.

 

The Braves certaininly have extra Starting Pitching. Big Gentle Ben... Please do keep us posted if you hear anything.

[biggentleben]

BGB - Who do you like better Bourn or Span? Their stats are fairly comparable - the exception being that Bourn plays a lot more' date=' steals more bases and K's a lot more. Also, what are some realistic scenarios you would like to see play out for ATL this offseason. I like the Braves from afar and am curious to read your opinion and insight.[/quote']

 

Bourn is very healthy and the Braves rarely run, so his steal stats should reflect the fact that rarely did he have an open green light, and he still amassed the totals he did. I love Bourn, but I understand the Braves' financial restrictions and their need to lock up their plethora of young players. For what the Braves need, defense is priority #1 from CF, so Bourn and Span there are both elite, and that's the major thing to worry. Add in the team friendly contract, and it is a true toss-up to me. Bourn's a better overall player, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit for him to see a $70-90M deal over 4-5 years. That would strongly restrict the Braves in locking up players like Heyward, Prado, and Freeman long-term.

 

As far as your questions on what I foresee and what I'd like to see - I'd like to see Bourn back and Tommy Hanson traded for a LF bat. Most of the rest of the team is all returning. However, I foresee a bidding war going on over Bourn, the Braves ending up trading for a CF after losing out on Bourn/BJ Upton, and then having to go to a second-tier outfielder. With Hinske's departure, Francisco slips into that role, opening the door for Frank Wren to pursue some much-needed RH power off the bench at corner infield or corner outfield. They have a tremendous amount of pitching, and they'll likely deal from this excess to fill CF/LF, their only real holes on the whole roster. David Ross reportedly told a Braves teammate recently that he intends to be a Brave next season, so that will be big with McCann out for some time with his shoulder surgery. Grandal's suspension removes a team the Braves had already contacted as a possibility, pursuing either Nick Hundley or John Buck as a 3rd catcher to play quite a bit while McCann is out. I do believe this offseason and next season will see a lot of the staff and lineup locked up for extended time. Reportedly, Heyward, Prado, and Medlen are in talks with the Braves currently about extensions.

 

I could type on this for ages, but if you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

 

Thanks BGB! Viva Chipper Jones!

 

Wow. Already wrong after the BoSox signed David Ross today. That puts the Braves in need of at least one catcher, if not two, depending on how they feel about Evan Gattis in a Ryan Doumit-esque role.

[diehardtwinsfan]

The Braves and Twins make sense to me.

 

No matter what our own personal thoughts are about Denard Span and his talent level. I think we can agree that Atlanta would love to have him. How much would they love to have him is the big question. I'd do Span plus to get a deal done for one of those young arms.

 

The Braves certaininly have extra Starting Pitching. Big Gentle Ben... Please do keep us posted if you hear anything.

 

I'm hoping that the Reds get in a bidding war here... both teams could use Span.

[TK10]

While it's important to note Span's WAR was 4 last season I think you have to crunch the numbers even further to really get a sense of how good and valuable he is. For example, his Advanced WAR was +19 and his Weather Channel Hitting in All Conditions (HAC) rating was 21. With the leather, his SVU defensive readiness survey came in at 38, best among left handed center fielders in the AL Central. Furthermore, his NASA Advanced Positioning Defensive Survey was an 8, and I don't have to tell any of you how staggering that is. Long story short, the Braves better be ready to cough up the good stuff.

[beckmt]

Hope TR gets other teams involived. We need more options(like Tampa Bay or Seattle). All of these teams have excess pitching and want outfielders. Span seems to be considered to get a mid level pitcher from the Braves, Hope we can find more elsewhere(maybe with another prospect or Parmalee).