Jhonny Peralta Injured

[Braves1976]

Aybar isn't that good so the Braves would be wise to trade him as soon as they get a good enough offer. If the Cardinals want him I'd move him in a heartbeat for a decent offer. Peterson can probably play short just as well as Aybar anyway. So just move him to his natural position again if Aybar is traded. Aybar has had a -3 DRS the last two years at short and -7 DRS three years back and declining range numbers over the same period too. I don't see why he'd be hard to place defensively at short and it's not like he's coming off a good season on offense either (.639 OPS). He is basically Simmons without the amazing defense, and pretty average at short overall.

[Braves1976]

I'd swap Aybar for a decent return in a heartbeat. We're not competing this year and could give the position to Castro to keep warm until Swanson or Albies is ready. Aybar is a luxury and we should be very open to dealing him. Still, I don't give up much if I'm the Cards.

Castro would certainly be the best defensive option, he is a good defender at short. Now that Simmons is gone he is easily our best option there defensively. So if he hits well enough I'd be fine with that. But I'd also think Peterson can handle short just as well as anyone else we have on the roster. So they'd be my top two options there if Aybar were traded. Beckham can also play some short, just not as well IMO and Boni of course but he's better at second and OF IMO.

[50PoundHead]

Gyorko has played all of 26 games as a SS with a -2.6 UZR.

FWIW, David Cameron just tweeted...

"External options that I can see - 1. Erick Aybar, 2. See Option 1."

David Cameron? Shouldn't he be more worried about the upcoming vote on Britain leaving the EU? Didn't realize he followed major league baseball.

[buck75]

Aybar for Harrison Bader?

[Braves1976]

The Cardinals did almost trade for Aybar in the past, so I could see them having interest again if they think his last season was just a down year.

[striker42]

Aybar for Harrison Bader?

Not a terrible trade for either team though I would consider it a win for Atlanta. Bader isn't one of their top 10 prospects. He's more in the 12-15 range. Still, he's a fairly polished outfielder than can play any of the three positions. He'd be a great addition for us in a position of need (right handed outfielder).

Austin Gomber is another name I like. He's a big (6 foot 5) lefty our of Florida Atlantic who is pretty polished. His raw stuff isn't tremendous so his ceiling is limited but he's put up impressive minor league numbers and is a pretty good bet to reach the majors. He's probably slated to start the year in AA so he's not that far away.


Personally, I don't expect the Cards to pursue Aybar. I think they'll wait for a team to DFA someone at the end of ST then work out a deal for that player. Much cheaper than trading for an established commodity like Aybar.

[Tapate50]

Not a terrible trade for either team though I would consider it a win for Atlanta. Bader isn't one of their top 10 prospects. He's more in the 12-15 range. Still, he's a fairly polished outfielder than can play any of the three positions. He'd be a great addition for us in a position of need (right handed outfielder).

Austin Gomber is another name I like. He's a big (6 foot 5) lefty our of Florida Atlantic who is pretty polished. His raw stuff isn't tremendous so his ceiling is limited but he's put up impressive minor league numbers and is a pretty good bet to reach the majors. He's probably slated to start the year in AA so he's not that far away.


Personally, I don't expect the Cards to pursue Aybar. I think they'll wait for a team to DFA someone at the end of ST then work out a deal for that player. Much cheaper than trading for an established commodity like Aybar.

I agree on the last statement. I'd be surprised if there was interest.

[bravesfanMatt]

Not a terrible trade for either team though I would consider it a win for Atlanta. Bader isn't one of their top 10 prospects. He's more in the 12-15 range. Still, he's a fairly polished outfielder than can play any of the three positions. He'd be a great addition for us in a position of need (right handed outfielder).

Austin Gomber is another name I like. He's a big (6 foot 5) lefty our of Florida Atlantic who is pretty polished. His raw stuff isn't tremendous so his ceiling is limited but he's put up impressive minor league numbers and is a pretty good bet to reach the majors. He's probably slated to start the year in AA so he's not that far away.


Personally, I don't expect the Cards to pursue Aybar. I think they'll wait for a team to DFA someone at the end of ST then work out a deal for that player. Much cheaper than trading for an established commodity like Aybar.

LOL, those are the two guys I sort of wanted from their list of prospects. Or the ones that I think we could reasonable get for Aybar. I am not sure what other needs the Cards have (starting pitching?)..

We could also offer to pay 75- 80% of Aybars salary and ask for both. that way when Jhonny is ready, Aybar is not an expensive bench piece.

[50PoundHead]

I knew Hart was ahead of the game when he signed Reid Brignac.

[Knucksie]

If the Braves trade Aybar, would that not send a message that they are not trying to compete this year? Coppy has said he wants to put the best team he can out there this year and that they are not 'tanking'.. Just saying.. But then I don't think you trade Heyward/Kimbrel/Simba and still worry about what the public thinks..

Like keeping Aybar on the roster is going to make them a contender??

[bravesfanMatt]

Like keeping Aybar on the roster is going to make them a contender??

I never said that...

[mossy]

Olney and Stark speculating Aybar being a great fit on the BBTN podcast.

[Horsehide Harry]

I would push for Aybar (with Braves paying salary) to Cards for 3B Bryce Denton and the #33 and #34 picks in the upcoming draft (Comp picks for Heyward and Lackey).

[nsacpi]

I would push for Aybar (with Braves paying salary) to Cards for 3B Bryce Denton and the #33 and #34 picks in the upcoming draft (Comp picks for Heyward and Lackey).

Only competitive balance picks (which are not the same as compensation picks) can be traded.

[striker42]

So far I've not read anyone with any source saying the Cards are looking into Aybar or that the Braves are shopping him. Only speculation that he'd be a good fit. On the other hand, I've not heard anyone shut down the speculation. GMs aren't dumb and usually will put an end to baseless speculation this wide spread.

[clvclv]

So far I've not read anyone with any source saying the Cards are looking into Aybar or that the Braves are shopping him. Only speculation that he'd be a good fit. On the other hand, I've not heard anyone shut down the speculation. GMs aren't dumb and usually will put an end to baseless speculation this wide spread.

Just something you don't comment on either way if you're Mozeliak IMO. No need to say "yeah, you're right - he would probably fit IF we decide to go outside the organization". On one hand, you're just stating the obvious - which has already been stated. On the other hand, you cost yourself leverage in any discussions with Coppy.

[nsacpi]

I think the main impediment to this sort of deal is that Peralta will only miss 1-2 months of the regular season. That limits the chances that the Cards will value Aybar highly enough to make a great offer.

[Russ2dollas]

I would trade Aybar and pay his salary for any long term asset we like. Jace could play SS for a while. Aybar is replacement level.

[nsacpi]

Aybar is replacement level.

He has averaged 2 WAR per year in the past 3 seasons. He is projected at about 1.5 WAR this year. Trade value would be based on how much salary we pick up.

[striker42]

Just something you don't comment on either way if you're Mozeliak IMO. No need to say "yeah, you're right - he would probably fit IF we decide to go outside the organization". On one hand, you're just stating the obvious - which has already been stated. On the other hand, you cost yourself leverage in any discussions with Coppy.

My thinking is that usually in these situations, if there's no truth to the rumors or speculation at all, you often see the GM of the team of the player being targeted denying the rumors. If we had no intention of trading Aybar now you'd think Coppy would come out and say that there have been no talks with the Cards. At the very least it would be leaked that there have been no talks. You don't want a player distracted by this kind of stuff when there's absolutely no reason.

I'm guessing that right now the Cards are doing their homework, calling around, talking to different teams, and gauging where things are at. No one is shooting down Aybar rumors because there probably has been a little contact. Conversely, there's not been enough contact to get a rumor going.