Bravo Braves

The Atlanta Braves finally have made a big splash in free agency.

Years and years go by without the Atlanta Braves making a big move in the offseason.

As one of the biggest Braves fans, I should know… Each year goes by and I become more and more skeptical of the Atlanta’s front office and their commitment to rejoining the race as a perennial contender for the NL crown.

This offseason though, the Braves decided to go out and make a great addition not only to their outfield but their batting lineup all at the same time.
Wednesday, Atlanta agreed to terms with free agent outfielder B.J. Upton.

The 28 year old becomes only the third outfielder 28 or younger to receive a contract worth at least $75 million. The other two outfielders being Manny Ramirez in 2000 and Carlos Beltran in 2004.

With the Tampa Bay Rays, Upton’s former team inking Evan Longoria to a $100 million dollar deal days ago, it was expected that the Rays would be unable to sign Upton as well.

The deal is formally scheduled to be announced Thursday once Upton passes his scheduled physical and will be the biggest free agent deal in Braves history.

As mentioned, being a card carrying member of Braves country, I know how excited the fan base will be to have a star like Upton running in the outfield and knocking home runs out of Turner Field.

B.J. Upton is a career .255 batter, but his 28 home runs last year and 78 RBI’s will be a nice boost to the Braves lineup not to mention his great ability to steal bases.

With the Marlins being terrible, the Mets inconsistent and the Phillies getting older, the Braves will once again find themselves in a battle against the Washington Nationals next season for the NL East title, but this time, the Braves may have the edge by signing B.J. Upton this offseason.