Earlier this week we heard that the Braves will attempt to sign Martin Prado to a contract extension since they view him as their long-term third base replacement for Chipper Jones. The two sides have yet to have any discussions about a deal however, and Prado told MLB.com's Mark Bowman and Teddy Cahill that it's not on his mind at the moment.
"That is not something I want to think about right now," Prado said. "I just want to focus on this season."
Prado, 28, will earn $4.75MM this season before becoming arbitration-eligible for the third and final time this offseason. He's scheduled to become a free agent after 2013. A .296/.345/.435 career hitter with a .311/.369/.441 batting line this year, Prado has quietly become one of the game's most versatile and effective players. He's spent significant time at second base, third base, and in left field throughout his career.
It's tough to find similar players to use as contract comparisions given how many times Prado has changed positions through the years. Yesterday at FanGraphs I wrote that a four-year pact in the $40MM range could work for both sides, though Prado's representatives at Peter E. Greenberg & Associates could push for a deal in line with Alex Gordon's four-year, $50MM contract with the Royals.
Is it just me or are teams trying to lockup more of there players before they hit the FA market?
As they should. Especially a fan favorite like Prado. I love the guy to death, but I’d trade him for the right OF’er.
which would create a giant hole at 3B next year. Unless it’s a steal of a deal for an OF, it doesn’t make much sense.
Agreed, but I think they could find someone to fill in at 3b. Why they haven’t drafted a high ceiling 3b prospect to take over, is beyond me.
I agree though, huge hole. It’s too late to trade him, unless they get someone back that can cover 3b as well or better than he would.
My comment was meant more for last season or early this year, I suppose.
To be honest, they’re only available in the top 10 picks typically. And even then, they’re a dime a dozen. PIT drafted Vandy 3B Pedro Alvarez 2nd overall a few years ago and have beat themselves silly trying to develop him into more Aramis Ramirez (former Pirate) than Mark Reynolds. The jury is still out on him.
I wish we could have a Freese, Wright, Zimmerman, Longoria in our system – and we might – but they take longer to develop, imo.
They Tried Terdo at Third this year, and they have Salcedo who was considered high ceiling- Terdo fizzled in AAA, and Salcedo’s moving but not quickly.
Prado’s the best option for 3B, finding a LF is cheap, and I don’t tihnk Fransisco should be anything more than a bench bat (he should replace Hinske next year- yeah he has an A-Gon like OBP but he can hit HRs, that’s useful) he’ll also be cheap ($750k range I think)
I would only want them to part with Prado if they could somehow obtain Chase Headley, but with reports that SDG is looking for a killing for him, that won’t happen. Too few 3B options out there over the next 2-3 seasons – especially if NYM does Wright right and gives him his money that Madoff didn’t take.
There have been a lot of bad free agent signings, and players we thought were mediocre before, whether thanks to sabermetrics or to this pitching era, a lot of what once was “everyday” players have become very valuable and the only way to get these no longer dime a dozen players is to lock them down before they realize that there are teams willing to overpay for them.
Sign him. Simple as that. 5 years and $46-$52 million should work for both sides and the Braves could then turn their attention to the starting rotation and left field.
Prado deserves a good payday right now. Pay him Braves. I wish the Braves could resign Bourn too but after the offseason rumors about the Braves asking about Wil Myers and Lorenzo Cain in a trade, I don’t feel too confident about the Braves resigning Bourn. :) What a shame.
where are you hearing about Wil Myers? and why the hell would the Royals trade him?
there were rumors about the braves and royals talking about wil myers in the offseason. this was before this season, in which myers has really gone off, but I think regardless the talks didn’t go too far.
Didn’t go too far is an understatement. Moore didn’t let Wren finish saying his name. Wren supposedly dangled either/or JJ & Prado during the offseason mainly to see if COL would bit with any of their prospects (Wheeler, Arenado (no chance)) or possibly Fowler and KC with either Cain or Myers. I’m sure they started the conversation with Myers trying to see if they could get to Cain.
Gordon’s contract was 4 years 40 million with a player option for a 5th which would make it 5 years for a total of 50 million not 4 years 50 million
Braves just pay him, Bourn, and McCann. Our offense is too good to just let it walk away.