The Atlanta Braves could obviously use a second baseman. Trade rumor mills have the Texas Rangers ready to listen to any deals involving Ian Kinsler, their All-Star second baseman. Would the Braves be willing to step out of their comfort zone and acquire a player currently in a long term deal?
Think of the upgrades the Braves would feature in their lineup. They have already been stung by bad deals, including Uggla's deal. The money is not horrible or overbearing, but when you have two players who are making top dollar in your organization, it is tough to have them sit out in your most important games of the season. Aside from Uggla, the Braves stubbed their toes by acquiring B.J. Upton. Combined, they hit .182, while earning just over $25 million.
Uggla only has two years left on his deal as he enters his age 34 season. He will make a total of $26 million in the remaining years of his contract, which is not bad at all for the Braves. Uggla has hit an average of 26 home runs, but he has struck out an average of 165 times in his first three years with the Braves. He was not a part of the Braves' playoff roster and of course, it was disappointing.
Kinsler comes with his set of pros and cons, but ultimately, for the sake of the offense, the Braves should really give it some thought.
By acquiring Kinsler, the Braves are tying themselves to a player that will enter his late 30's by the time his contract is up. Kinsler is under contract until 2017 and he will be 35 years old by that time, earning less money as the years go by. With four years left in his contract, Kinsler is set to make $57 million. However, as a whole, since the Texas Rangers would not eat up any of his contract, the Braves would only be paying about $6 million more than they would on Uggla for the first two years and then $25 million for the final two seasons.
What the Braves get in return is a contact guy and a hitter at the top of the lineup. Jason Heyward proved he can man the leadoff spot, so Kinsler could move into the No. 2 hole as the Braves can shift power lower in their lineup. The Braves can have a lefty-righty-lefty-righty combination as Heyward, Kinsler, Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton would handle the top sports of the order.
Kinsler is a better contact hitter than Uggla and he steals bases, averaging 22 SB's in the last three seasons. His batting average is not outstanding, but he does not strikeout as much as Uggla, which helps the Braves as a team in that department. He has a .349 on-base percentage to go along with his .273 batting average. Also, Kinsler possesses some pop and if healthy, is a threat to hit 20-30 home runs and drive at least 70 runs in.
The downside is his price, of course, and his healthy. Kinsler has only played 150 or more games twice in his career, but if he is in the lineup consistently, the Braves could go from having a threatening lineup to having a versatile lineup that will smash home runs, but would post a better average overall.
Kinsler has an option for a final year, but the Braves could buyout his contract for $5 million. In total, Kinsler would cost the Braves about $30 million more than Uggla, but if the organization was serious about making some changes, Kinsler would be a perfect fit in Atlanta.
