Transaction Analysis

Braves sign Dave Martinez for 2 years, $3 million

Dave Martinez played on four difference major league teams last season, and there's a reason for that: he's not very good.  The Braves understandably want a platoon partner for BJ Surhoff, but the Braves had any number of better options than Martinez.  For less money, they could have signed a minor league free agent, or called up a player from their own minor league system, and that player would most likely hit better than Martinez.  For a similar price, they could have signed Rich Becker, who is a much better hitter. But most of all, the Braves have now lost out on Mike Hampton, Mike Mussina, and perhaps Alex Rodriguez.  If they're not going to spend money on a large free agent contract, that money should be going into their problem areas - first base and left field.  Dave Martinez is a stop-gap solution, but the Braves need a real fix.