The Atlanta Braves are gunning and running as they shot down one of their 2012 offseason goals by signing B.J. Upton. Shane Victorino, Denard Span and Dexter Fowler are now the names mentioned in possible Brave acquisitions as the team's focus turns to an outfielder leadoff hitter.
Let's get this out of the way right now.
Braves fans are either cringing or nodding their heads and pumping their fists at the possibility of signing Victorino.
If there is one player every team in the N.L. East dispised, it was probably Victorino.
He's little. He's scrappy. He hustles. He makes things happen for his team and becomes a headache for his opponents.
Out of the three, Victorino is the only free agent. As Mark Bowman, Braves beat writer, explains, the team would have to free up cash some way to land Victorino.
The other two guys, Fowler and Span are top of the lineup guys that get on base.
Surprisingly, Fowler, who plays for the Colorado Rockies, had an on-base percentage of .389 for seventh in the national league.
In 2012, he showed signs of pop as he hit 13 homers, driving in 53 RBI and hit .300 for the season in 530 plate appearances. So it wasn't like he came off the bench and got lucky. Fowler has a future in the MLB and is only 26 years of age, turning 27 in March.
As far as pay goes, Fowler will be eligible for arbitration in 2013 and won't become a free agent until 2016, which makes him a valuable piece for the Rockies.
Span, on the other hand, is under contract. He has two years remaining in his five-year deal and will be owed a little over $10 million in 2013 and 2014 combined. The soon to be 29-year-old outfielder has a $9 million option with a $500,000 buyout in 2015.
Span finished 2012 with four homers, 41 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .283 batting average.
Both guys are from the south, Fowler actually from Atlanta and Span from Tampa Bay, Florida. So I doubt they'd have a problem playing somewhere warmer in 2013.
We will keep you updated as the winter meetings quickly approach and are set to kickoff on Monday.
Trade talks should be heating up!
