What Happens After Chipper Retires?

Chipper Jones has been The Man for the Braves for 16 years but as happens to all of us, time and age are catching up with Chipper. The partial tear in the meniscus of his right knee follows last year’s snapped ACL in his left. His recent groin tweak recalls many he’s had along with quad/ hammy strains and oblique pulls in recent years. No matter how great your physical condition – and his was superb at the start of this year – at some point the muscles and bits that hold them together give up or give out.  Being the optimist I am, I’ll assume Chipper leads us to another post season and into November. What then? What happens when – as most believe now – Chipper retires?

Wednesday night I asked this question in a group while we watched the Braves beat the Padres.: If  Chipper retires and his salary is available and

• the Mets do decide – as was reported recently – to trade a healthy David Wright and
• their asking price is fair,
• would you make that trade?

Answers were mixed but largely favorable.  The dynamic changed a bit the next day when it was reported that Wright’s second year option is available only to the Mets. That means he would be a free agent after 2012 unless we were able to negotiate an extension before the trade.

Please assume Wright is healthy and that we have to fill either third base or left field via free agency or realistic trade. having looked at the minors I see no one major league ready there. You may feel differently of course and vote that way.  A realistic traded helps both clubs; value for value. Please don’t tell me we should send Diory Hernandez to the Nationals for Ryan Zimmerman for example. So Mr./Ms GM, put on your thinking hat and tell me where you stand by answering the poll and telling me why. The poll will remain open until Monday at noon.