Atlanta Braves: Michael Bourn Is Priority No. 1 in Offseason

With the thoughts of the Atlanta Braves needing to go after soon-to-be free agent David Wright this offseason to replace Chipper Jones, I'm now starting to think the Braves need to turn their focuses elsewhere.

Instead, the Braves have to change priority No. 1 to current centerfielder Michael Bourn.

Now, some may say that it's important to add another power bat in the lineup to replace Jones, I believe having our leadoff guy taken care of for the next four or five years is more important.

The current roster will see Bourn, Matt Diaz, David Ross, Eric Hinske, Chad Durbin, Jack Wilson and Livan Hernandez all become free agents. Add in there that Chipper Jones is set to retire, and the Braves have a lot of work to do this offseason.

When you put all of their salaries together, the Braves will have almost $29 million to work with this offseason.

Then, you have to add in the fact that Martin Prado, Eric O'Flaherty, Jason Heyward, Tommy Hanson, Jonny Venters and Cristhian Martinez are all arbitration eligible, making it big puzzle for GM Frank Wren to be fiscally responsible when constructing next year's team, as Prado (assuming he isn't traded), Heyward and Hanson will definitely get raises.

Taking all of that into account, I believe Bourn is the most important player the Braves have to focus on.

Just take a look at his stats through Sunday.

Bourn is hitting .317 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 80 hits, 13 doubles, three triples, 42 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.

What more could you want in a leadoff hitter?

I imagine it's going to cost the Braves somewhere around $12-13 million a year to re-sign Bourn.

Although that may be a high price to pay for a leadoff hitter, I think we can all agree that he is worth every penny.

The Braves haven't had as good of a leadoff hitter since...well, ever.

Bourn is the best leadoff hitter the Braves have ever had, and it's imperative that the team re-signs him.

After that, then you can take care of the likes of Prado, Hanson and Heyward, then maybe make a run at Nick Swisher to play left field and move Prado to third base.

But Bourn is the key.

If the Braves want to ensure they're at the top of National League East for the next few years, it's going to begin at the leadoff position.

And, who better to be there than Bourn?