Two Florida sources confirm Marlins' interest in Gattis

[rico43]

This, from the Miami Herald:

Determined to upgrade over Garrett Jones at first base, the Marlins have begun exploring trades. Colleague Clark Spencer and I (Scott Gelman) confirmed that the Marlins are interested in Atlanta’s Evan Gattis and Clark was told they also have inquired about Baltimore’s Chris Davis. Both Gattis and Davis are 28.

Gattis, who has seemingly performed well against the Marlins in his career, is known to be an outfielder and catcher but can also play first base. In 2014, Gattis posted a .263/.317/.493 batting line to 22 home runs and 52 RBIs. He appeared in 104 games for Atlanta, and has been durable throughout his career. Since he has established himself as a power hitter, Gattis does not walk frequently (5.5% of at-bats in 2014), however his 2.3 WAR likely made up for that.

While he would give the Marlins depth, Gattis would make sense because he made just $0.5 million last season. Miami offered a two-year, $20 million contract to Adam LaRoche which he subsequently declined, and pursuing a free agent such as Morse may also be costly. Gattis isn't eligible for free agency until after 2018, and Atlanta may attempt to capitalize on that. The Braves are looking to get younger, and although they are fond of Gattis, might not hesitate to trade him if the deal was right. A pair of minor league prospects might do it, though Miami might not be the only team interested.

[rico43]

Wanted to keep my speculation separate from the actual report. If Gattis could generate Heaney as part of the return, then there's something to be said about this.

[thethe]

"A pair of minor league prospects" better include Heaney.

[Braves1976]

Yea, let's trade Gattis and make the already improving Marlins, a division rival, even tougher to beat. Then we can watch Gattis hit bombs against us for years to come just like Uggla use to do (before he came here and struggled).

[Jay212033]

I'd do a Gattis for Heaney swap 1 for 1!

[cajunrevenge]

I would prefer to trade Gattis but we need hitters and I don't see us getting that from the Marlins.

[Tapate50]

Sure hate to trade him within the division unless it was an offer we couldn't refuse. Gattis has to have some serious value .

[Jay212033]

Andrew Heaney for Evan Gattis would be awesome imo! Here's what John Sickels said about the young man:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/...ects-in-review

1) Andrew Heaney,*LHP, Grade A-: Borderline B+. Age 23, posted 3.28*ERA*with 143/36 K/BB in 137 innings between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans, 120 hits. 5.33*ERA*in 25 major league innings with 17/6 K/BB. One of the very top*LHP*prospects in all of baseball.

[50PoundHead]

The Marlins want Gattis to play 1B?

[GovClintonTyree]

The Marlins want Gattis to play 1B?

That's actually a very clever idea. I like him better than most behind the plate, but in any event, it limits him to 450 ABs. He's kind of super-sized for LF, but catches what he gets to.

We've only seen him a few times at first, but I'm guessing he's ok there. So he gets 650 ABs and plays a position he can handle fine. I'm guessing he's good for 350 bombs over the next ten years if he settles in there.

[buck75]

Toss in Yelich, too!!

[GovClintonTyree]

Toss in Yelich, too!!

Yeah baby

[bravesnumberone]

When you're trading inside your division you shouldn't just settle for minor leaguers. Get some real damn major league talent on this roster please.

[blueagleace1]

I would start the process by demanding Henderson Alvarez.

[Heyward]

I'd prefer some hitters but Heaney would be interesting.

[zitothebrave]

**** I didn't think would happen. The Marlins would care more about winning than us.

[50PoundHead]

That's actually a very clever idea. I like him better than most behind the plate, but in any event, it limits him to 450 ABs. He's kind of super-sized for LF, but catches what he gets to.

We've only seen him a few times at first, but I'm guessing he's ok there. So he gets 650 ABs and plays a position he can handle fine. I'm guessing he's good for 350 bombs over the next ten years if he settles in there.

I take it you don't remember the few games the Braves tried him at 1B his rookie year. Not saying he couldn't handle it, but he really looked bad in the limited opportunities he had.

[CrimsonCowboy]

If the Braves are going to trade Gattis to a divisional rival, I don't care what it takes, they better get the maximum potential package for him.

[Heyward]

Yea, let's trade Gattis and make the already improving Marlins, a division rival, even tougher to beat. Then we can watch Gattis hit bombs against us for years to come just like Uggla use to do (before he came here and struggled).

Well not like we're going anywhere in the next 2 years, so.

But understood.

[Chico]

We don't seem to match up with the Marlins. I do like Heaney a lot, but I think they're trying to trade some of their lesser pitching prospects. Definite pass.