Braves add utility player/pinch hitter Hinske...

[Nemesis21]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-brave ... 67981.html


Not a great signing, but I'd take Hinske as utility player/pinch hitter over Norton any day. Hinske can play outfield and also both corner infield positions. He's also played for the last 3 American League teams that made it to the World Series

[HMFFL]

The Atlanta Braves made another move toward attempting to beef up their offense Tuesday when they agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran infielder Eric Hinske, CBSSports.com has learned.

The contract is pending a physical examination, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. Financial terms were unknown.

Hinske gives the Braves an experienced, left-handed bat off the bench, and he gives them insurance at first base in case Troy Glaus doesn't stay healthy.

Hinske, 32, will also can play third base and the corner outfield spots. He's also something of a good-luck charm: He's played in each of the past three World Series, with the Yankees last fall, Tampa Bay in 2008 and Boston in 2007.

In 93 games with Pittsburgh and the Yankees in 2009, he hit .242 with eight homers and 25 RBI. http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 5/19392542

Beef up the offense...

If he manages to put up his 2002 numbers, fine, but I doubt he does much even coming off our bench. Not trying to be negative, but all these one year "fixes" are annoying me.

[Nemesis21]

The Atlanta Braves made another move toward attempting to beef up their offense Tuesday when they agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran infielder Eric Hinske, CBSSports.com has learned.

The contract is pending a physical examination, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. Financial terms were unknown.

Hinske gives the Braves an experienced, left-handed bat off the bench, and he gives them insurance at first base in case Troy Glaus doesn't stay healthy.

Hinske, 32, will also can play third base and the corner outfield spots. He's also something of a good-luck charm: He's played in each of the past three World Series, with the Yankees last fall, Tampa Bay in 2008 and Boston in 2007.

In 93 games with Pittsburgh and the Yankees in 2009, he hit .242 with eight homers and 25 RBI. http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 5/19392542

Beef up the offense...

If he manages to put up his 2002 numbers, fine, but I doubt he does much even coming off our bench. Not trying to be negative, but all these one year "fixes" are annoying me.

same here, but the Braves will pay Glaus, Hinske and Melky around 7-7.5 mill for 2010 season. I'd take that over giving Damon a one yr deal for 8-10 mill. The Braves believe Freddie Freeman will be their starting 1b by 2011. Glaus is a nice cheap one yr stop gap to Freeman. IF Glaus can stay healty and play 140+ games, he could have a 20+ hrs 85+ rbi season.
Hinske is a nice bench player to have. He can play outfield to help rest guys or if there is injury. He could also play 3b and 1b. Also would help Chipper and Glaus rest. He is a good pinch hitter also.
All in all I'd rather have Hinske on the bench than Greg Norton.

Braves believe Heyward is their future in RF, he may play from opening day platooning with Diaz. Or he may start in Gwinett and come up around June, also platooning with Diaz.

Nate is our centerfielder and there is no problem there.

Melky is a stop gap OF solution also, if Schafer proves he has a future in majors, he could play center and move Nate to LF. So you'd have Nate in LF, Schafer in CF and Heyward in RF.

Melky could be traded with prospects sometime this season, but most likely in the future(2011 or 2012)

[Nemesis21]

So, it is possible this team wins 83-93 games, challenge the Phillies. But most likely finish 2nd in NL East and win wild card. We have a strong pitching staff and good bullpen, above avg defense and solid offense.

My projections

Jurrjens 17 wins 200 IP 180+ SO
Lowe 18 wins 200 IP 150+ SO
Hanson 14 wins 155+ IP 150+ SO
Hudson 14 wins 160+ IP 140 SO
Kawakami 10 wins 140+ IP 120+ SO

Wagner- CL 30+ Saves
Saito - setup 5+ Saves
Moylan - 7th/ long relief 8+ saves
Acosta
O'Flaherty
Medlen
Parr
Reyes
Dunn

CF - Nate avg .282 20 hrs 84 rbi
2b - Prado avg .292 12 hrs 62 rbi
3b - Chipper avg .327 21 hrs 100 rbi
1b - Glaus avg .267 20 hrs 90 rbi (if healthy)
C - Mac avg .315 27 hrs 104 rbi
SS - Esco avg .303 17 hrs 92 rbi
LF - Melky avg .275 15 hrs 73 rbi
RF - Diaz/ Heyward Diaz avg .308 12 hrs 55 rbi / Heyward avg .270 6 hrs 23 rbi (when called up, IMO around June)

[lpsevier]

I think if we put up the offensive numbers you've predicted, that we'll easily win the division.

I expect worse numbers.

I also agree than Hinske > Norton however.