No Peavy, No Burnett: No Problem

Sixteen years ago, a marquee free agent pitcher took less money than was being offered by the New York Yankees, and instead signed with the Atlanta Braves.

According to some recent reports today, that won't be happening this year, but Braves fans really shouldn't worry.

With the news breaking that AJ Burnett is accepting an offer from the New York Yankees for $82.5 million over five years, Braves fans might be thinking that management missed out again on helping out a team that needs a front of the rotation starter.

Folks - let the Yankees bury themselves. $16.5 million per year on a guy who only once won more than 13 games in a season isn't worth it.

Missing out on Jake Peavy? Again, he'd cost about the same but is five years younger.

If they don't want to be in Atlanta, you shouldn't be too sad that they aren't.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the Javier Vazquez trade a couple weeks ago anyhow. Three of the four prospects sent to the White Sox for a No. 3 starter probably won't be impact players in the majors anyway. Tyler Flowers, though, could be really good.

But with regards to missing out on the best pitchers available this off-season and a team that has holes in its rotation, the Braves were best off not getting in bidding wars and bringing in someone with question marks.

The signings of CC Sabathia and A. J. Burnett do prove three things.

1) The Yankees under any Steinbrenner will still be the Yankees and try to buy talent to win a championship, without regard to anything else.

2) Baseball, more than ever, needs a payroll cap like the NHL and NFL - not a luxury tax similar to the NBA that right now does absolutely nothing.

3) A. J. and C.C. showed that they just wanted to get paid. They sold out.

C.C. wanted to be an ace, but he chokes in crunch time. Burnett doesn't want to be an ace. Peavy doesn't think the Braves could be competitive. Both Burnett and Peavy have major injury concerns - elbows specifically.

The Braves are better off holding on to their chips and looking elsewhere.

Right now the only two pitchers set in the Atlanta rotation come opening day 2009 are Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez. The Braves would've liked an ace to front that rotation, but missing out on overpaying the 'marquee' guys isn't a bad thing.

Filling out the back end of the rotation shouldn't be too hard. The simplest thing the Braves can do is bring back John Smoltz.

He threw a side session not too long ago, and although it's early, he's determined to be ready to start the season. He's not looking for much money, and the same could be said for Tom Glavine. They wouldn't be long-term answers, but for 2009, there are two holes potentially filled.

The reason I say to look only at those two for 2009 is because Tim Hudson is hopefully back sometime around early September, and it would be prudent for the Braves to sign the ace to an extension as his current contract is up after the 2009 season. Also, Tommy Hanson, who was absolutely dominant last season in the minors and in the Arizona Fall League, should be ready for rotation spot in 2010.

The last spot can be filled by either a lower tier free agent who won't cost the Braves draft picks (Brad Penny, Jon Garland), or internally (Charlie Morton, Jorge Campillo).

Realistically, the Braves should be patient. They have players in their farm system, but they're a year or two away. Atlanta should be more competitive in 2009 than they were at the end of 2008, but fans should be looking more at 2010 and 2011 as the time when the Braves should have the talent at the major league level to be able to make a serious playoff run.

Also, having a lower payroll in the process isn't such a bad thing. Flexibility helps big time as not having loads of money tied up into huge contracts can make things a lot easier. Considering Mike Hampton just left, Braves fans don't need to be reminded.