The Rest of the Offseason

Unless Frank Wren is not telling us something, this offseason has come down to five free agents. Two outfielders: Adam Dunn and Pat Burrell. Three pitchers: Kenshin Kawakami, Ben Sheets, and Derek Lowe.

I have yet to find any rumors that have circulated regarding Dunn coming to Atlanta. Dunn has been a model of consistency since 2002, hitting over forty homers four times and consistently walking over 100 times a season. He is in the middle of his prime, yet he seems to be the type that will continue to mash well into his thirties with his huge frame and raw power. I would feel safe with more than three years, but three would be a good deal to offer. Dunn earned $13 million last season and will get around the same.

Despite plenty of discussions on boards, I have yet to find true talks about Burrell as well. Even though I dislike Burrell for his days in Philly, his bat would be welcomed in Atlanta. He is similar to Dunn in that he walks a lot and mashes the ball. He doesn't have the raw power that Dunn has but he strikes out less and his patience at the plate is just as solid. Burrell earned a million more than Dunn in 2007 and should receive a similar deal to Dunn. I would feel safer giving Dunn the longer contract, given age and value, but both are middle of the order mashers who can anchor the Braves lineup.

The only player out of these five that has been rumored to be dealing with the Braves is Kenshin Kawakami, the latest Japanese pitcher to make the jump to MLB. The 34 year old is of the Hiroki Kuroda mold, with a solid array of off-speed stuff to make up for a weaker fastball. He is known to have a knee-buckling curveball. I wouldn't expect anything more than #3 material, similar to Kuroda. Also similar to the Dodger starter is the amount of money he should receive, which is $7-$8 million a year. The Braves are said to be squarely in the mix for Kawakami's services.

Ben Sheets has not been the topic of many conversations this offseason, despite proving he can reach 200 innings again this past season. He had his best year since the career year of 2004, recording a 3.09 ERA in 31 starts. If Sheets is handled properly he can last a full season, but Milwaukee never learned that. He earned $12 million last season and will receive something similar. I highly doubt he will be able to scratch up any type of long deal but will get #2-type money. If the Braves come out of nowhere and sign him he will anchor the rotation at the top.

The Braves have repeatedly declined interest in Derek Lowe, but I will add him just because he's still out there. Lowe is starting to get up there in years but has maintained a mid-three ERA since coming to Los Angeles in 2005. Many of the bigger market teams have shown interest and will probably give him more than the Braves are willing to go, as the Yankees did with A.J. Burnett.

The bottom line, from my opinion, is that if the Braves are able to sign either one of the outfielders or one of the pitchers, they must sign one from the other group. Spending a good amount on a Ben Sheets alone will not get them into the playoffs. Signing a Ben Sheets and Adam Dunn will give them a much better chance to contend in the East. Frank Wren should realize if the deal is not there for two of these players he should keep the money and see where the Braves stand at the deadline.