Trading Justin Upton AND Jason Heyward?

[CrimsonCowboy]

Some speculation from Mark Bowman:

http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article...rd-and-rebuild

[jpx7]

No thanks.

[Hudson2]

I think it'll be Heyward for some reason. Maybe bc he thinks he deserves more than FF and the Braves won't pay it. Who knows.

[Dalyn]

I also think it'll be Heyward this year.

[NinersSBChamps]

Does it really matter? The team hit its ceiling in 2013.

[jpx7]

I think it'll be Heyward for some reason.

I also think it'll be Heyward this year.

[CyYoung31]

This is ****ing stupid. Rebuild when we still have a young, competitive team? I understand possibly trading a piece away to fill other needs, but trading two major pieces? Why are people insinuating that we need to start from square one based off one bad year? That's what perennial losers do.

And also, trading Heyward away could set this organization back a decade.

[cajunrevenge]

There are two options I like. Going for it in 2015 and letting both walk and starting the rebuilding with 5 first round picks over 2 years (Santana gets a comp pick too) or trading both now. What I am certain of is that paying either or both of them anywhere close to market let value is a very bad idea.

I know I am in the vast minority but I think we can be a better team in 2015 by trading both. It will mean relying on a lot of unproven talent but that's what we have scouts for.

[COGPK]

I'm not going to react to an article of someone's opinion. It's all speculation.

[BremanFan88]

Maybe bc he thinks he deserves more than FF and the Braves won't pay it.

Well he does...

[Julio3000]

Not gritty enough. Need to rebuild.

[yeezus]

Does it really matter? The team hit its ceiling in 2013.

That doesn't even make sense. Because teams aren't the same year to year. But whatever. Yes, it does matter.

[BravesfanMike]

There are two options I like. Going for it in 2015 and letting both walk and starting the rebuilding with 5 first round picks over 2 years (Santana gets a comp pick too) or trading both now. What I am certain of is that paying either or both of them anywhere close to market let value is a very bad idea.

I know I am in the vast minority but I think we can be a better team in 2015 by trading both. It will mean relying on a lot of unproven talent but that's what we have scouts for.

Absolutely right. Do it now and get a return or lose them both next year for draftpicks.

[thethe]

I'm up for trading anyone depending on the return. As long as I feel the team is headed in the right direction I will be fine with it. Watching this team last year was sickening and something has to change.

I would obviously prefer to keep both but when you are trying to reshape your team you often do that by trading good players and getting other good players back.

[weso1]

Braves might be in a position where they have to trade both guys if they want to field a high quality team in 2017. Here is an approximation of the contracts already on the books for 17:

BJ Upton: 17,000,000
Freddie Freeman: 21,000,000
Andrelton Simmons: 8,000,00
Chris Johnson: 9,000,000
Julio Teheran: 6,500,000
Craig Kimbrel: 13,250,000

That's 74.75 million we've got tied up for 6 players, and one of them is terrible and needs to be replaced and another is league average at best.

Have to at least trade one. Makes sense to do it now so you can get close to max value.

Actually I would listen to offers on every one of those guys. Teheran would be the one I'd be least likely to let go. I'd listen on Freeman and Kimbrel.

[CyYoung31]

My mind would be blown and my fandom shaken if the Braves front office decided that Fredi should get another chance at redemption, but not this obviously talented young core.

[sturg33]

If the Braves trade away either of their two best players, I'd seriously question their competence. We have a team that can win right now. Let's go do it. It's not like we get nothing if they leave.

I'd have to be blown away to trade either one of them. In fact - I'd be making every move possible in order to keep them both.

[nsacpi]

Braves might be in a position where they have to trade both guys if they want to field a high quality team in 2017. Here is an approximation of the contracts already on the books for 17:

BJ Upton: 17,000,000
Freddie Freeman: 21,000,000
Andrelton Simmons: 8,000,00
Chris Johnson: 9,000,000
Julio Teheran: 6,500,000
Craig Kimbrel: 13,250,000

That's 74.75 million we've got tied up for 6 players, and one of them is terrible and needs to be replaced and another is league average at best.

Have to at least trade one. Makes sense to do it now so you can get close to max value.

Actually I would listen to offers on every one of those guys. Teheran would be the one I'd be least likely to let go. I'd listen on Freeman and Kimbrel.

We really have to move a substantial part of that 17M owed to Melvin in 2017. If we do that we should be able to keep one of Jason/Justin.

The other point I would make is that keeping both this season and letting them hit free agency is not a bad option. We can get the draft choice or trade them mid-season depending upon how the season is unfolding.

[50PoundHead]

Braves might be in a position where they have to trade both guys if they want to field a high quality team in 2017. Here is an approximation of the contracts already on the books for 17:

BJ Upton: 17,000,000
Freddie Freeman: 21,000,000
Andrelton Simmons: 8,000,00
Chris Johnson: 9,000,000
Julio Teheran: 6,500,000
Craig Kimbrel: 13,250,000

That's 74.75 million we've got tied up for 6 players, and one of them is terrible and needs to be replaced and another is league average at best.

Have to at least trade one. Makes sense to do it now so you can get close to max value.

Actually I would listen to offers on every one of those guys. Teheran would be the one I'd be least likely to let go. I'd listen on Freeman and Kimbrel.

And some folks still defend Wren.

To the OP, I try to keep Heyward. (1) The market for him is likely a bit weaker than it is for J. Upton, (2) While his production may never reach the level of J. Upton, he brings a well-rounded game to the table.

I've written several times that I think if we can find a match, we could get a pretty good haul for J. Upton. Not quite like what we sent to the Rangers for Teixeira, but just below that strata. I'm not advocating moving him just for the sake of moving him, but if we were to seriously consider moving one of the Heyward/J. Upton duo, I'd opt for shopping J. Upton.

I guess I'm the house pessimist, but I don't see this team as a contender in 2015. Too many holes/question marks and not enough budget leeway/major league-ready prospects to fill them.

[sturg33]

The Chris Johnson extension was inexcusable. Just no reason for it. If anyone needs to be moved, he'd be second on my list.