Rumors have the Atlanta Braves interested in Scott Hairston as their guy for left field in the 2013 season.
Many teams have been asking about this nine-year veteran who spent last season with the New York Mets. The fact is that Hairston is done with one-year deals and after hitting 20 home runs last season, he is due for a pay raise.
In the 2011 and 2012 seasons as a member of the Mets, Hairston was paid $2.2 million in total. That is just over $1 million per year and the man showed he had some pop this past season. He also hit .263 and drove in 57 runs.
Hairston would be a great addition because of his ability to play all outfields. However, because of his successful 2012 campaign where he played 134 games, the most in his career, many believe he wants a two-year contract worth $10 million.
That for the Braves, according to David O'Brein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, would be too much money.
The New York Yankees are attempting to acquire Hairston, but they don't like the 32-year-old outfielder seeking a multi-year deal. In case you haven't heard, the Yankees are not willing to continue spending millions and millions on luxury taxes and will try to get their payroll beneath the threshold.
For the Braves, Hairston addresses the issue of a left-fielder and bat in the lineup, however, the question is still who will leadoff?
Martin Prado is capable of doing so, but his skills set make him more favorable at the second slot of the lineup. Hairston would become a great lower of the order kind of guy since he can supply some pop if pitchers get by hitters like Dan Uggla or B.J. Upton.
Also keep in mind that the Braves already have Reed Johnson who can handle left-handed pitching.
Teams who have been after Hairston this season aside from the Braves and Yankees are the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. However, Hairston has yet to be signed.
