Earlier this offseason, Frank Wren signed Greg Norton to a 1-year deal to anchor the Braves’ bench as the pinch-hitting specialist. Yesterday, Wren made another move towards maintaining one of the best benches in the league: signing Omar Infante to a 2-year deal worth 4.35 million with a club option for 2011 worth 2.5 million with a 250,000 buyout. If exercised, this option would buy out his 2nd free agent year as Infante was scheduled to be a free agent after the 2009 season.
Infante brings the super-utility persona to the bench. In his career, Infante has played 3B, 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF, and has served as a DH. He played all of those except RF and DH with Atlanta last season. Infante hit 293/338/416 while striking out 44 times and drawing 22 walks with 3 homers in 317 at-bats with Atlanta last year.
This is the type of brilliant signing that gets overlooked in my opinion. You need these type of guys on a championship-caliber team. Infante gives the Braves the ability to not worry about resting somebody for a day, he can fill virtually any position. The Braves’ bench will now consist of David Ross, Greg Norton, Omar Infante, and 2 others. The 2 others will likely be a 4th outfielder and a speedster. I think the Braves’ bench looks great.
