Renteria to Braves

for third baseman Andy Marte. Will be interesting to see how long Boston keeps Marte. I picture him still being moved somewhere for a shortstop. Not real sure why Boston would get rid of Renteria a week after getting rid of their top shortstop prospect. This is an interesting move that I don't think we have seen the end of.

 

Hopefully last year was just a bad year for Renteria on the defensive side and he will rebound there. Has he been a leadoff hitter?

 

I think he was back in his younger days with the Marlins, however, he is a much different hitter now. Even though neither is a great option, I would see Giles being the better fit at this moment.

 

Ouch, that just hurts. I was thinking of Renteria in the number 2 slot, but if you do that, then not sure where Giles should hit. I just can't see Giles as a leadoff hitter.

The main things the braves are/were talking about doing were to replace Furcal and do something with the bullpen. I think they need to do more, but I guess with the current owner/budget that's just not going to happen.

They always have a good team, just not one that seems like it will ever be able to win it all.

Of course the one thing I did like about last year was that some of the young talent had a chance to play.

 

Great move, in my opinion. They had no place to play Marte, and I honestly think he's overrated as a prospect from what little I saw of him at Greenville. If Renteria bounces back then he's an improvement over Furcal, and at around half the price. It will be interesting to hear exactly how much of Renteria's contract Boston agreed to pay.

And for the record, Boston is saying that they'll keep Marte, and I believe them. It's not like they have a stud at third, and they seem comfortable with the idea of getting a good glove at SS. But yeah, trading Hanley Ramirez and then Renteria is odd, but I think it also tells you that the Red Sox really didn't think much of Ramirez.

 

I have no problem with the trade, and I also hope Renteria bounces back on D especially. I think this will more than answer the problem of SS. Just not sure how the leadoff/batting order will work now.

Also wonder if Chipper will be back in the outfield or how they will work Betemit into a full time player.

1B - LaRoche
2B - Giles
3B - Chipper, Betemit
SS - Renteria
C - McCann
LF - Chipper, Langerhans, Johnson
CF - Andrew
RF - Francoeur

The biggest questions to me are who will play third and left field and who is your leadoff hitter with the current lineup. Should they stay with Chipper at 3rd and you platoon LF, keeping Betemit as your first infielder off the bench?

Or Chipper back to LF and Betemit starting at 3B. I like second option, but that is me.

 

Betemit will not be a full-time player; he'll be a utility player. Doubts about his ability to play every day probably drove the effort to get Renteria. And Chipper will not go back to the outfield. If it comes to that, he'll either be traded or possibly move to first.

 

I hated losing Furcal and wish the Braves had stepped up with the cash to keep him even if the Dodgers overpaid for him. A good SS and leadoff hitter in one package isn't easy to find. With that said I like the Renteria deal. We needed a SS and he's a good one <last year not included >. Should be an interesting 2006 season with the Mets trying to sign every FA or trade for every elite player in the majors it seems. Would be nice to win another division just to laugh at the asshats.

 

Boston is also on the hook for 11 million in cash to the Braves to take Renteria.8 million of the 26 million owed to Renteria the next three years,and the Red Sox must also pay the 3 million buyout if his 11 million option for 2009 is declined by the Braves.

 

I am sure you are right on this as I have heard several talk both ways on him. Is he ready or not? You just never know I guess.

Why do you think Chipper will never go back to the outfield? I recall something he said a year or two ago about doing that to save him a big more damage through the season, prolonging his career, I could be wrong about that. The 1B thing could do the same I guess, and I don't see him going anywhere at this point in his career, but with the ownership now that is of course an option.