This boring offseason is one that continues to press on for the Atlanta Braves. I thought that there would be something to write about, in terms of player acquisitions or trades. However, all we have is a big pile of rumors and nothing substantial, other than Derek Lowe and Alex Gonzalez‘s departure.
As for the Braves, there are still some attractive free agents available out there. The Braves have been rumored to be interested in Cody Ross if his price were to lower. There is one player that would be a huge addition for the Braves to make them a better team in 2012.
Magglio Ordonez would be a huge addition for the Braves. He has played for the Detroit Tigers since 2005. He is a career right fielder. He has also served as a designated hitter for the Tigers. He has been a little prone for injuries. When he has played, he could be a solid player if used correctly.
For the Braves, he would not be needed to play right field. He could take over as a left fielder, which would help improve his overall defense. His defense has declined over the past few seasons, which is to be expected with his age. However, his hitting has not slowed much at all.
What would make him attractive is his sheer dominance against left-handed pitchers. Last year he posted a .292/.331/.385 line against southpaws. That was actually a “down year” for Ordonez. In his career, he has posted a .327/.386/.553 line against lefties.
Can you imagine that type of production in the Braves’ lineup against left-handed starters?
Ordonez could be utilized in a way that would help his overall health and the health of the team as a whole. He could split time in left and right field backing up Jason Heyward and spelling Martin Prado. Prado could be utilized as a super utility player to give Freddie Freeman, Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla a day off frequently. He and Ordonez could team up to make a non-traditional platoon in left field as well.
This would allow the Braves to use Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz primarily as pinch-hitters, strengthening their bench with their roles being limited in that capacity.
I am uncertain as to the type of deal that Ordonez would need. He shouldn’t demand top dollar or a long contract. I wouldn’t mind the Braves offering 2-3 years for Ordonez. His type of production against left-handed pitchers makes him an attractive piece for the Braves and the overly left-handed NL East.
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This is straight out of the pantheon of the dumb. 2 or 3 years for Magglio? Really? He’ll be 38 next year and posted a blazing .634 OPS in 2011. MAYBE take a flier on him on a low-dollar one year deal, but a multi-year contract? Baseball malpractice, my good man.
Thanks for your comments, George. I must have been a little vague in my statement about signing Maggs to a 2-3 year deal. Never would I want them to sign him to that type of guaranteed contract. However, if they signed him to a 1 or 2 year deal with options for more, I would not think that would be a bad option. I know Maggs didn’t have a good year last year, but I also don’t think the Braves should sign him as their everyday left fielder, either. He would instantly be the best hitter we have against left-handed pitching if we signed him. He also had a really good offensive year two seasons ago. He is not washed up offensively, by any means. Considering our prowess to be shut down by left-handed pitching, we do need a hitter than can aptly hit lefties. Would you agree?
“Instantly our best hitter” is an exaggeraation, as Chipper hit lefties better than Magglio Ordonez did last season.
Still, he’s only a year removed from being very good…for about 15 years in a row, and it’s seems to me that his defense would actually be decent in LF. It really all depends on what the market is for him, and I for one have no clue. If his age and injury status mean he could be had for a ST invite, that would be worthwhile, I think, especially if we end up keeping Prado and Maggs just adds flexibility. Jimmy Rollins ended up signing for way more than I would have guessed, though, and Magglio may get some sort of guaranteed $5M contract or something…in which case we wouldn’t be in on him.
Funny thing is, even if he doesn’t rebound from his truly awful 2011, he’d still be useful to us. That a .716 OPS against lefties would be a major boost to our lineup says more about the Braves than about Maggs’ quality, though.
That doesn’t make any sense. Why would they event was 2 option years on a player of Magglio’s profile (old, recently injured, CLEARLY in decline)? I don’t want to question your integrity, sir, but it sure looks like you actually thought a 2 or 3 year deal would be a shrewd movie and then quickly backpedaled when I noted how moronic it would be.
Plus, as the other commenter noted, your assertions about him being the club’s best hitter against lefthanders is factually incorrect.
Are you in high school?
2nd sentence should read, “Why would they even want…” Sorry.
lol dude you are bustin dudes balls alot
maggs is a great player though he has been forever even though the white sox won it all after he left with podsednik instead but maggs was probably better than podsednik but i don’t know
George’s innate douchey-ness aside, I have to agree with him, Chadwick. Signing Magglio for anything beyond a non-guaranteed minor league contract would be foolish.
Nice cap in your profile pic, by the way. You shop with Harvey Updyke?