Andy Marte traded for Edgar Renteria
GM John Schuerholz took swift action once former Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal signed with the Dodgers. The Braves snagged 4-time Edgar Renteria and $11 million in exchange for Andy Marte, one of their top prospects. Renteria was one of the top prizes in the the free agent market last year when he garnered a 4-year, $40 million contract with the Red Sox. After factoring in the money received in the trade, the Braves will essentially be paying the shortstop only about $7 million a year, not counting incentive bonuses, over the next 3 or 4 years depending on whether or not they exercise his option in 2009. Compare that to the $13 million yearly salary Furcal stole from the Dodgers!
Renteria quickly fell out of favor with Red Sox fans during a season in which he hit .276 with 8 homers and committed a career-high 30 errors. The Braves believe a return to an environment with warmer weather, less scrutiny, and the National League pitchers he faced during his previous 9 seasons will bring back the Renteria of old, a clutch hitter who won 2 Gold Glove & 3 Silver Slugger awards and hit .290 between 1999 and 2004.
The sacrifice of 22-year-old rising star Andy Marte was a necessary evil that enabled the Braves to corral one of the game’s finest shortstops. Marte hit .278 with 20 home runs at Triple-A Richmond last season. The 3rd baseman will likely be ready to start at the major league level at some point this season. However, due to the restructuring of Chipper Jones’ contract, Marte found his path to the majors in Atlanta obstructed for at least the next 3 seasons.
