Atlanta Braves GM For the 2009-10 Offseason

Okay, I'm going to be Frank Wren for a little bit here when it comes to making a lot of the important decisions the Braves have to make this offseason. The most obvious holes they have are first base and left field, since both starters have left for free agency. Let's discuss the important players the Braves may lose and the possibility of them returning.

Rafael Soriano

Soriano was a very important player for the Braves the last few seasons.  With his 2.97 ERA and 27 saves, he was one of the pitching starts.  I would love to see the Braves keep him, but when the free-spending Yankees, Red Sox, and other teams come calling, they simply can't afford him.  I expect he will get close to $10 million per year.
2010 Destination: L.A. Angels

Mike Gonzalez

Gonzalez, like Soriano, was a star for an excellent Braves bullpen. His 2.47 ERA and 17 holds were excellent and he can easily be the everyday closer for a lot of teams. Rumors have him taking a hometown discount to stay in Atlanta, but I'll believe it when I see it.  2010 Destination: New York Yankees

Adam LaRoche

LaRoche had a wonderful second half of 2009, when he helped the Braves become one of baseball's best teams.  He made roughly $7.5 million in 2009 and apparently feels like he is worth more.  I personally don't see him even coming close to making 7.5M in the free agent market, considering almost every free-spending team is set at first base, minus the Red Sox, who obviously don't want him.  If he would accept $5 million on a one-year deal I wouldn't mind seeing him return, but I doubt he will.
2010 Destination- Baltimore Orioles

It seems the Braves have one too many starting pitchers. When you try and decide who they should trade it becomes pretty difficult.

Vazquez

He had one of his best seasons in 2009 and will be a free agent after 2010.  I believe the Braves should keep him, unless a trade for a high-end minor leaguer or excellent major leaguer who hasn't reached arbitration yet comes up.

Lowe

This is one of the most obvious choices of pitchers to trade since he had a really bad second half last season.  I personally don't think they need to trade him because they won't be able to get anything of value in return. 

You could maybe trade him for someone else's bad deal (Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn), but when trying to build a championship team you don't just trade problems. Dunn would be the best of the options, but I doubt a division swap like that will happen, plus the Braves really don't need another left-handed hitter.

Kawakami

He is the most obvious choice, in my opinion.  He has a decent contract at $8.3M and should bring back a pretty good return.  Hopefully a high-end OF or 1B prospect who is major-league ready and a good reliever prospect.  

Free Agents to Target

Johnny Damon - Seems to be a good fit for Atlanta. He could bat lead-off and be the good clubhouse player that the Braves need.  He may want more money and years than they can or will offer, though.  

Mark DeRosa - Would fit perfectly back in Atlanta.  Can play just about any position and play it well.  

Vladimir Guerrero - I'm sure he will want a lot more than the Braves will offer, but he would fit perfect in the three or five hole.  

Jermaine Dye - maybe the Braves could get one or two years out of Dye.  

Aubrey Huff -  Seems like a good fit at first base.

Xavier Nady - A decent player that could hold LF until Heyward is ready.

Nomar Garciappara - Could be a one-year player who could pay big dividends for the Braves.  

Brett Myers - Has excellent stuff if he could ever get control of it. If he would sign for cheap, he could be turned into an excellent closer. 

Rick Ankiel - Has always been able to hit the ball, but being a lefty would kind of hurt. 

Marlon Byrd - If he was willing to sign for $2 million to $3 million, it could be a steal.