posted July 24, 2008
) Photo by Tim Evearitt Mark Teixeira becomes a free-agent at the end of the season. His agent is Scott Boras (meaning he will be very expensive to sign). |
This year, however, the Braves are in an intriguing situation. A strong case can be made that the Braves should be sellers. There are also solid arguments for the Braves to at least stay the course with the current cast.
They are five games under .500 and in fourth place in the National League East. But they are only six games behind first-place Philadelphia in the division race but the odds of jumping past three teams is very difficult.
The Braves are 10 games back in the Wild Card race.
It's not an easy choice facing general manager Frank Wren, and one that could have a significant impact on this season and the future both in Atlanta and for the teams
eying some of the current Braves for their own playoff pushes.
After finishing with the Marlins, the Braves will head to Philadelphia for three games this weekend, then return to Atlanta for a four-game series against another contender, St. Louis, and then three-games with Milwaukee (also contenders).
What will the Braves do between now and next Thursday's 4 p.m. deadline?
Should they decide to trade Teixeira, the Braves would have to get more than the two draft choices they would get if they kept the first baseman and he left via free agency after the season.
With so many teams looking for a power bat (including the Braves, who have scouted Pittsburgh's Jason Bay and Xavier Nady) Teixeira would be a hot commodity just like he was this time last year were he to hit the trade market again.
As is often the case in these matters, only time will tell.
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Adapted from MLB.com
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