Responding to the MLBTR Outlook

I'm sure most of you have already read the offseason outlook on MLBTR, but Capitol Avenue Club has posted an analysis post based on it.

• The Braves have approx. $20 million for a 1B and OF.
• Kelly Johnson should be trade bait for a reliever.
• 1B options: LaRoche, Nick Johnson, and maybe even Glaus.
• OF FA market isn't suitable for the Braves.
• Kawakami may be dealt and the extra money used for a reliever.

First of all, I completely agree that Kelly should be used as trade bait. This has been mentioned since he officially lost his job to Prado. The purpose of the trade is debatable. Whether he should be traded straight up for a reliever, or packaged for a hitter is the question. A good package in my opinion would involve Kawakami and Johnson. The type of return would depend on the prospect(s) the Braves would be willing to add, and whether it would even be worth the bat they would get in return.

If the Braves are able to sign the bigger name free agent, such as Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, it would more than likely mean a lesser first baseman. Troy Glaus is a name that intrigued me. It was just two years ago that he had a solid season with the Cardinals and he's only turning 33. A combo of Holliday/Glaus has much greater potential than, say, a Hardy/LaRoche.

The problem with the free agent outfielders is what I've already mentioned. There's Bay and Holliday, and after that nothing worth going after. That means plenty of suitors.

Whether it'd be better for the team to dip into the free agency pool or take advantage of the pitching surplus to find their bat, I don't know. There's not many options in free agency this year so it might be a busy offseason for Frank Wren. Keep those phone lines open.

Also, I'm reading several articles stating Javier Vazquez is the best candidate to get traded. While I can understand them thinking that because he would bring the most in return and his contract is up at the end of the year, I don't see it happening. The Braves have the opportunity to have one of the best rotations in the team's history, and dealing Vazquez would change things dramatically. That's why Kawakami seems like the obvious choice. He's the odd man out.