As we all know, SBF provides Braves insight for Score Atlanta. Here is what is going on this week in BravesNation!
Shockwaves rippled throughout BravesNation last week when it was announced that the Atlanta Braves had offered free agent Johnny Damon a one-year contract offer, reported to be worth anywhere from $3M-$6M, with some money deferred. At the time it was the only offer on the table and Damon was likely considering it but several days later, the Detroit Tigers offered a two-year deal, worth about $7M per season. Earlier this week the Chicago White Sox website announced that GM Ken Williams was in the process of putting together an offer as well. The Sporting News issued an opinion last Monday that it appears that the Braves one-year offer likely will be turned down by Damon’s camp.
This likely means that Jason Heyward will get a true look at spring training and the reigning minor league player of the year has a realistic shot of making the opening day roster. Last season despite impressing everyone, Tommy Hanson was sent to Gwinnett to open the season before being called up after the Super Arbitration deadline had passed. Perhaps Heyward will not have to sit out the first two months of the season before making his debut. Should Heyward make the squad, he would likely play rightfield and hit seventh after Yunel Escobar and before Melky Cabrera/Matt Diaz. Keith Law of ESPN told Baseball Tonight that Heyward likely has the rightfield job but he will have to earn it in spring training.
Meanwhile Jair Jurrjens was expected to fly back from spring training to Atlanta for an MRI on his sore shoulder. Team officials checked out the shoulder earlier this week and determined it was structurally sound but suggested the MRI. GM Frank Wren said the MRI was strictly precautionary and the team is hoping that the situation is just a case of tendonitis.
Last week we took at look at the bullpen situation for the Braves. With pitchers and catchers reporting today, let’s examine who will come off of the bench this season for the Braves. If Jason Heyward does make the club, he should start 120+ games in the outfield, leaving a platoon in left of Cabrera and Diaz. Whoever doesn’t get the start that day clearly would be ready as a pinch hitter and Diaz has shown that he can be dangerous against lefties. Omar Infante can play multiple positions on the infield and can play a little outfield as well. Throw in the fact that Infante started off incredibly hot last season and he is a serious weapon off of the bench. Eric Hinske was signed to provide depth at the corner infield spots and has appeared on each of the last three American League World Series rosters, winning two rings with Boston in 2007 and New York in 2009. Finally David Ross comes back to back up all-star catcher Brian McCann but Ross could get pushed by Clint Sammons, a former University of Georgia standout that grew up in the Atlanta area and played well in spot duty the last two years.
In Braves broadcasting news, FOX Sports South announced that Tom Glavine will be involved in 13 Sunday broadcasts this season after Glavine was officially brought back to the organization as a special assistant to Braves president John Schuerholz. Glavine will also help out manager Bobby Cox and GM Frank Wren if necessary. Glavine officially retired last week, before accepting the position with the franchise. It was also announced by 680 The Fan that Buck Belue of Buck & Kincade fame will participate in the Braves pregame show on the station along with Glavine and two others, Mark Lemke and Leo Mazzone.
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