If we are below .500 at mid-season, I don't think AA will hesitate to make some moves of this type. I've always thought that mid-season was the best time to trade major leaguers for prospects. Contending teams pay more of a premium at that point. But if we get the right offer tomorrow, I'm open to trading anyone.
"I am a victim, I will tell you. I am a victim."
"I am your retribution."
I think you shop them now and pull the trigger on the right deal. Waiting to mid season cuts both ways. It narrows the field of possible suitors but elevates the urgency. The big thing to me is targeting what you want from the other team. Right now the Braves might get Austin Hays and Hunter Harvey. They still might at mid season. But if either or both break out in the first half of 2018 then they are gone as far as trade possibilities.
I think you shop them with an understanding of guys you will accept back. If you don't get what you want, then you wait.
AA is going to make a play for Yelich if he's available. He'll play it conservative other than that would be my guess based on what's been reported so far.
thank you weso1!
That's the rub. Yelich would likely drain the Braves of young talent. We probably wouldn't have to trade Acuna or Albies. But it would likely start with Gohara and Wright/Soroka. And then likely Pache and Fried. That's a big price to pay. Is it worth it, possibly, but remember we lost tons of international money.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
I might do a Yelich, Tazawa and Chen deal for Allard, Sims and Touki deal with Allard as the obvious headliner IF the Braves could make the money work. Would likely necessitate the trade of Teheran and maybe Folty and make Inciarte a possible trade chip.
Tazawa is gone after 2018. Chen is the medicine you accept to get Yelich but he could be a useful, if expensive, 5th starter for a few years ( you would definitely not want his 2021 contract to activate).
jpx7 (12-17-2017)
If the Braves are somehow in WC contention at the deadline, expect them to upgrade with a long term piece.
If they are out of contention, they will be looking to flip Teheran. Folty has enough control that he should be held.
The odds of them being in contention are not high. It will be a pretty slow offseason for the Braves from here on out. The Braves mouthpiece has already said as much.
Last edited by Enscheff; 12-17-2017 at 01:10 PM.
Why a LHer? I would think a RHer would make more sense so he could platoon with Markakis.
I wanted Austin Jackson last year, and I think a player like that would make sense again this year. Of course Lane Adams may be penciled in for exactly that role, but he is extremely unlikely to repeat his 2017 production.
I think they'll spend another 10+ million and wind up in the 120-125 dollar range. Probably nothing exciting, but a few decent one or two year deals.
I would not be shocked though if we saw some additional reorganization of payroll and bigger moves. They now have some flexibility there.
They are now equipped to bid on the open market for free agents last year, but looking at the teams that have poised themselves to go hard at that class, it is going to be pricy and the Braves may not be in the best position to recruit great players even if they were in the ballpark salary wise.
If you are going to go Seth Smith why not do Preston Tucker instead, just designated by the stros and should be really cheap. Also, if you are going Lefty then Cargo might be your man or Granderson. If you want the novelty effect you could go with Ichiro.
RH you're looking at Austin Jackson, Cam Maybin. I guess you could go with Werth if he comes cheap enough.
You might bring in Eduardo Nunez to play 3B/LF/SS (probably the best bet).