After two years of below-replacement value, Dan Uggla finally earned his pink slip from Atlanta, despite the lottery numbers they still owe him. Even before that, Uggla had lost his job to rookie Tommy LaStella at second.
Now the Braves have a similar decision to make with albatross number-two, B.J. Upton. Two years into a five-year, $72.5 million deal, Upton has caused more harm to Atlanta than Sherman.
Last season Upton hit like a pitcher (.184/.268/.289 with 151 strikeouts), costing the team 1.3 wins compared to a Triple-A replacement outfielder. This year, it's more of the same: a .209 batting average and whiffs in a third of his at bats, costing the Braves another win.
That's followed eight seasons in which the former number one draft pick hid flashes of brilliance in a sea of offensive mediocrity.
It's hard to argue that young Melvin is going to break out after 900 plate appearances, or that the Braves shouldn't just cut bait and find a replacement. Except, they don't have a replacement.
Atlanta doesn't really carry any backup outfielders. Upton, his brother Justin and Jason Heyward have played 113, 115 and 114 of the team's 121 games this year, flexing in Jordan Schafer and Ryan Doumit in the remaining contests. Schafer hit .163 without power and now toils in Phoenix. Doumit is a catcher.
Either GM Frank Wren is loaded up on Quaaludes, wagered heavily in Vegas on an Upton prop bet or can't find other GMs' phone numbers. Because landing a superior option can't be that hard. There are above-replacement outfielders on the waiver wire, warming benches, stashed in Triple-A and lounging in man caves across America. A couple of phone calls and the sacrifice of a non-prospect Double-A middle reliever can land some non-contender's fifth outfielder who'll hit .240 and shag flies.
It doesn't much matter while the Braves spiral into oblivion. But as long as they nurture playoff dreams, they'll need more than a strikeout with legs in the batting order, no matter how much he's paid.
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