Welcome to Atlanta, Mr Glaus
December 24th, 2009 | by joelucia |Sorry it took me a day after the news broke to get this up…holiday season and all.
The Braves have tentatively reached an agreement with 3B Troy Glaus, for $2 million plus incentives. Glaus will likely play 1B for the team. Glaus does not hit for a high average, but has great power, with a career .241 ISO. Glaus is the type of player that can maintain a lower BABIP, as his career mark is a below average .284. Glaus has also battled injuries throughout most of his career, and has missed more than 30 games in a year in 4 of his last 7 seasons. When healthy, he can be an offensive force, judging by the .850+ OPS totals in his last 3 healthy seasons.
As for the move across the diamond, not only is it a necessity with the presence of Chipper Jones, but also, Glaus is not very good defensively at third, with 6 negative UZR seasons since the stat began being tracked in 2002. If you look at fielding percentage, he’s a total butcher…but who cares about fielding percentage anymore? He’s only played 38 career innings at first, but did a damn good job. Its too small of a sample size to make any judgments based on that alone, but its something to at least consider.
Personally, I like the signing. Its a low risk, high reward deal, and if Glaus’s back or shoulder act up at all, the Braves are only out $2 million, which is a drop in the bucket. If Glaus is fully healthy, the Braves have a cleanup hitter who can get them the power they need and give Chipper Jones and Brian McCann some breathing room in the lineup.
For another look at things, check out my colleague Ray Flowers’ take of the Glaus signing over at Baseball Guys.
Tags: Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Troy Glaus
By Mike Kerns on Dec 24, 2009
2 Mil plus incentives is incredible. That’s basically what we paid Garrett Anderson last season. Terrific move. If we signed Mark Derosa on top of this, I would be happy with the offseason. Even though losing Vaz still stings.
By Jimmy S on Dec 24, 2009
Based on what is being reported Derosa is not in the picture. However I agree with Mike that he would be a good insurance piece, becuase we don’t know how healthy Glaus is or will it (the shoulder) hold up. But if he is healthy he will be a real big help.The other good thing about Derosa is all the positions he can play as well as his bat.
I just feel something else is going on, because we are crowded in the outfield and if Haywood were to make the big club, who will be the trade bait? Schaffer, Milkey?
I am feeling better at this time this year than last. Have a great Holiday folks and bring on Spring Training!!!!!!!!
By TradeAndruw on Dec 25, 2009
Aren’t we sitting on a large budget surplus now? Wish we kept Gonzo.
By MicG on Dec 26, 2009
How can anyone not love this deal?
When this guy bats 500+ times he is capable of putting up Bay and Holiday like power numbers. While he has had injury issues they have primarily, (in recent years), been related to his shoulder which he had surgery on last year. That would be a concern for an every day 3rd baseman, but at first it won’t matter as much. As for it’s effect on his hitting I don’t see a problem there since he played with the shoulder problems in 2008 and hit 27 HRs. Now that it’s fully healed 30+ is highly possible!