Is Juan Uribe a Better Option for the Atlanta Braves at Hot Corner?

During the 2015 season, the Atlanta Braves made a trade for one Juan Uribe. The trade saw Atlanta send Alberto Callaspo, Juan Jaime, Eric Stults, and Ian Thomas to the Dodgers for Uribe and Chris Withrow in May.

Uribe provided that shot in the arm the Braves were looking for at 3rd base after the trade, only to send him to the Mets in July along with Kelly Johnson for John Gant and Robert Whalen.

The trade to the Mets helped them when they needed it during the absence of star 3rd baseman David Wright. That trade bridged the gap to Wright’s return and an eventual trip to the World Series.

Juan Uribe is now a free agent, and The Braves could possibly benefit from having Juan Uribe back in Atlanta at the Hot Corner. Adonis Garcia is currently slated as the Braves 3rd baseman, but is he really the heir apparent? I don’t think so.

A combined 5 years with the Dodgers, Uribe had respectable numbers. but had a resurgence in his short stay in Atlanta. In two short months, Uribe’s power, albeit in a very power deprived Braves lineup, was a breath of fresh air. Seven round-trippers, 17 RBI, 15 BB’s, and even a stolen base. He struck out 37 times in 151 AB’s and slashed .285/.353/.464/.817 with a an OPS+ of 127.

I realize this isn’t the most sought after option. However, with the reported possible sale of the club that Alan informed us of yesterday, Uribe could come at a reasonable cost. I wouldn’t mind bringing him back on a one year deal.

If the plan is to play Hector Olivera in left field. Having a proven veteran and a guy the fans were just warming up to, is a move at least worth considering.

Obviously, there’s still a lot of time left in the off season, so virtually anything could happen. Given what we’ve seen so far from this front office, anything will happen.

I certainly like the idea of having Uribe at third this coming season than one Adonis Garcia or Pedro Ciriaco. Don’t take that the wrong way though, both do things well enough to get by, but are we just trying to get by here? If this front office wants to avoid all out mutiny, they might want to consider something, anything.

When are we going to quit stocking prospect pitchers, and start turning them into offense?

Though, as the months wind down and we get closer to Spring Training, if it becomes apparent that 2017 won’t be as promised or as sold by the John’s, this idea probably holds no weight. If the Braves want 2017 to be the time of judgement, then maybe bringing back Uribe is a viable option.

Next: Going Once, Going Twice ... Sold?

I’ve quit trying to predict what the John’s are concocting behind closed doors. At this point, trying to guess is like throwing darts at a spinning wheel of prospects and going with wherever it lands.

The fans can only take so much more yet-to-be-seen pitching prospects. Most are going to want to see those arms turn into bats. Uribe was quickly becoming a fan favorite when he was here.

Then again, I don’t think fans could stomach another fan favorite being sent packing at the deadline, for more … wait for it … pitching prospects.