The Atlanta Braves are busy writing checks as the team reports to Florida to begin free agency. General manager Frank Wren has already backed off his rule of giving new deals to players that file arbitration as multiple marquee guys have signed extensions this offseason. With Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel all sign to new deals, who is next?
According to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, getting an extension done for Simmons is the team's next top priority. The Braves want to sign the shortstop to a long-term deal before the season starts, but are having trouble determining his value. Wren is operating the baseball belief of locking up young talent early, but how much is Simmons worth to the team.
At the plate, Simmons might be considered average. He bat .248 last season. However, his batting stats are only half of Simmons. The 24-year-old is considered the best defensive shortstop in the majors and still has plenty of room to grow as a player. Normally, hitting determines the size and length of a contract, not defense. Wren aims to get this deal done soon.
The Simmons extension negotiations come after the Braves avoided arbitration with closer Kimbrel. The Braves announced via Twitter that the best closer in game has signed a four-year deal worth $42 million. According to Ken Rosenthal, it is the largest contract given to a closer in history. He is worth it. In 2013, Kimbrel recorded 50 saves and 98 strikeouts with a 1.21 ERA.
So far, Wren is making all of the right moves to get the Braves back into contention. In 2013, Atlanta lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games, failing to make the World Series yet again since 1999. Kimbrel's contract comes after both Heyward and Freeman signed new deals which will help keep the core of the team together. Now the futures of players like Dan Uggla must be decided.
The general consensus around the Braves organization is that Uggla will remain at second base until he proves another move is necessary. Some might argue he proved that last season, but Wren is dedicated to the veteran. FOX Sports reports the Braves are not negotiating a trade for the second baseman and have no plans on doing so at this time. So for now, Braves' fans have to suffer through Uggla's inconsistencies again.
