http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...nd-speculation
slide show so I posted the three that pertain to us.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________
Atlanta Gets: RHP Mark Appel, 1B A.J. Reed and OF Kyle Tucker
Houston Gets: 1B Freddie Freeman
The Rumor
Atlanta is shopping first baseman Freddie Freeman, sources tell Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Why It Works for the Astros
Not only is Freeman a massive upgrade over Chris Carter, both at the plate and in the field, but his left-handed bat brings some balance to the Houston lineup, which starts off with four consecutive righties—Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis.
While he's due significant money—roughly $120 million through 2021—the 26-year-old Freeman is just now entering the prime years of his career. He's the long-term answer at first base the Astros hoped Jonathan Singleton would have been.
Why It Works for the Braves
Some may look at this deal as something of a salary dump by Atlanta, and it'd be foolish not to think that taking Freeman's deal off the books doesn't play a factor in the team's thinking here. But the Braves are also getting a trio of youngsters who could be huge parts of the team's core in short time.
A.J. Reed, 22, crushed minor league pitching to the tune of a .340/.432/.612 triple-slash line with 34 home runs and 127 RBI over 135 games, reaching Double-A in his first full professional season. A future fixture in the middle of the Braves lineup, Reed could break camp with the club next season.
Still a teenager, 18-year-old Kyle Tucker is a few years away from making an impact in the big leagues but might ultimately be the best player of the three Atlanta lands in this deal. He's already shown the ability to make consistent hard contact, and as he fills out his 6'4" frame, the power will come. He has the arm to play right field, but his bat works in either outfield corner.
Mark Appel has yet to meet expectations since Houston made him the top overall selection in the 2013 draft, but the 24-year-old still has significant upside if he can straighten himself out on the mound. Few teams are better equipped to help him do that than the Braves, who add another potentially high-upside arm to their ever-growing stable of young pitching.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________________
Atlanta Gets: RHP Parker Bridwell, 3B Drew Dosch and RHP Mike Wright
Baltimore Gets: OF Nick Markakis and $6 million
The Rumor
Both Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien believe there's some interest on Baltimore's part in a reunion with current Brave and former longtime Oriole Nick Markakis, who doesn't really fit with Atlanta's rebuilding efforts.
Why It Works for the Braves
Atlanta rids itself of a $33 million expense over the next three years while adding three controllable pieces for the future.
Mike Wright is a MLB-ready starter whose shaky command led to some ugly numbers (a 6.04 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 44 innings) in his first taste of the big leagues, but he still projects as a quality back-end option or, if all else fails, an effective reliever.
Parker Bridwell's lack of a third plus offering could ultimately shift him into a late-inning relief role, where his fastball-changeup combination could be devastating, while Drew Dosch, who is still a few years away, could be a high average/middling power starter at the hot corner in Atlanta.
Why It Works for the Orioles
Markakis not only fills a void in one of the outfield corners for the Orioles, but his return would help to placate a fanbase that could still see Wei-Yin Chen, Chris Davis and Darren O'Day depart as free agents this winter.
While his power disappeared in Atlanta (three home runs), Markakis' ability to hit for average and get on base consistently will help put runs on the board, especially if he's hitting ahead of the likes of Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters.
The $6 million that Atlanta kicks in gets Markakis' annual cost to Baltimore to less than $10 million per season, which should help gain the approval of owner Peter Angelos
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________
Atlanta Gets: OF Jorge Soler
Chicago Gets: RHP Julio Teheran
The Rumor
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Cubs are willing to explore the possibility of trading Javier Baez or Jorge Soler, adding that moving one "only would make sense if the return was a pitcher of similar age, service and talent."
Why It Works for the Braves
Atlanta needs a corner outfielder who not only helps defensively but serves as a masher in the middle of the lineup. Enter 23-year-old Jorge Soler, who put on a clinic in the playoffs, hitting .474 with six extra-base hits (three home runs), five RBI and a 1.705 OPS in seven games, setting a new postseason record in the process.
Since he's signed to a team-friendly deal that pays him just over $21 million through the 2020 season, the Braves wind up saving a bit of cash in this swap as well.
Why It Works for the Cubs
Rather than spend more than $100 million on a big-name starter, Chicago lands a 25-year-old who has flashed ace stuff in the past and will cost the team just over $41 million through the 2020 season.
Teheran didn't have a strong season in 2015, pitching to a 4.04 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP, but given his age, there's no reason to believe he can't get back to where he was the previous two seasons, when he posted a combined 3.03 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by DirkPiggler
