1.) Brian McCann (no option)
2.) Tim Hudson (no option)
3.) Paul Maholm (no option)
4.) Scott Downs
5.) Eric O'Flaherty (no option)
6.) Reed Johnson ($150 K buyout, $1.6 club option)
7.) Kameron Loe
8.) Luis Ayala
9.) Freddy Garcia
10.) Paul Janish (should be 6th year)
11.) Ramiro Pena
1.) Mac is gone. Can't possibly see justification for spending the money even for a hometown discount. Do you lose a little defensively if Gattis is your starter behind the plate? Sure. But having him as the "everyday" Catcher allows you to continue carrying 3 Catchers, utilizing Laird in the event you need him to help with younger arms as they're brought up (and could imagine a scenario where he becomes Julio's caddy - Gerald's been a huge part of his development). Bethancourt can be used in the event Fredi REALLY wants a defensive guy back there late in a close game.
2.) If Huddy will re-sign for around $6-$8 million I can definitely see him being brought back, no question.
3.) Maholm is gone - sure wish Beachy's return had gone swimmingly and we could've gotten something for him at the deadline.
4. & 5.) I think EOF and Downs are joined at the hip - whichever can be retained the cheapest will be brought back.
6.) Reed will be bought out. Terdoslavich and Gattis provide you arguably better bats off the bench, and Schafer will be cheaper to re-sign as a backup CF.
7.) Loe - obviously gone.
8.) Ayala is an interesting case. Always nice to have an experienced guy that can get groundballs out there whenever you need him. Should be inexpensive to retain (and Fredi obviously trusts him). That said, Hale, Graham, and several others would be even cheaper.
9.) Garcia is gone.
10.) Janish likely won't be retained even though he'd give you a superior defensive SS UNTIL Pena's healthy. Gotta figure that Elliott Johnson will be brought back instead - gives you much more versatility, an additional tool with his speed, and another switch-hitter - at least until Pena returns.
11.) Pena will likely be retained as long as no one else realizes his value and is willing to spend significant money on him while he's rehabbing.
3 Cs - Gattis, Laird, Bethancourt
3/4 1Bs - Freeman, Terdoslavich, Gattis, Johnson
2 2Bs - Uggla and Johnson (with La Stella knocking on the door)
2 SSs - Simmons and Johnson (with Pena on the way back)
2 3Bs - Johnson and Johnson (with Pena on the way back)
7 OFs - Upton, Upton, Heyward, Schafer, Terdoslavich, Gattis
Wood in limbo if Huddy re-signs and Beachy's healthy. Could be used in the pen, but I don't think that's likely. Much better idea to have him stretched out and ready in Gwinnett.
Personally think Venters and EOF are gone if Downs can be retained. Wood would give you an option for a third LHP out of the pen without the injury concerns. Absolutely believe Venters is a non-tender candidate - guys coming off a second TJ surgery don't have nearly as much success as those who've had one.
