I'm going to play GM for a second and show why I think it’s important to trade Heyward and Upton this offseason. I’ll give a detailed outlook that could present itself:
It's obvious that the Braves need to field a competitive team come 2017 when they move into SunTrust Park for sake of the next 20+ years and the revenue that will follow. I think the word "Rebuild" is a little strong and the word "Retool" is what will happen.
We already have a strong group of core players that we can build around and whom will still be under contract in 2017. These include the following (as well as a few prospects who should be ready to contribute): Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran, Craig Kimbrel, Andrelton Simmons, Alex Wood, Mike Minor, Evan Gattis, Christain Bethancourt, Jose Peraza, Lucas Sims, and Jason Hursh.
Below I am not trying to predict the exact trades/signings that will happen, instead I am trying to show the TYPES of trades/signings that could happen as well as showing that by trading Upton and Heyward it could be very beneficial in multiple ways.
Now with the following moves we can really set ourselves to win in 2017 and beyond...
1. Trade Justin Upton, Juan Jamie, Gus Schlosser and Edward Salcedo to the Seattle Mariners for Taijuan Walker, D.J Peterson, and Victor Sanchez- This would give us another legitimate starting pitcher and possible ace to go along with Teheran and Wood at the top of the rotation, along with Peterson who would become our 3B of the future, and finally another starter who projects as a #3/#4 type pitcher.
2. Trade Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Carlos Martinez, Stephen Piscotty, and Rob Kaminsky- This deal would net us the hard throwing Martinez who could instantly slot into the rotation, Piscotty who would replace Heyward as our everyday RF, and Kaminsky who is another highly regarded LH pitching prospect.
With the two trades above, they not only instantly replenish our depleted farm system but they also make our farm system one of the better ones in all of baseball. We go from having no real prospects besides Peraza to having numerous top prospects, most of which are MLB ready guys like Walker, Martinez, Peterson, and Piscotty. Finally, it gives us some salary relief which will come out to a total of approximately $26 million ($14.5 million for Upton, $8.3 million for Heyward, and $3.2 million for Walden).
3. Come 2016, one year from when we want to really field a competitive team, when Dan Uggla's salary comes off our books, and when the starting pitcher market is full of quality options (Cueto, Fister, Iwakuma, Price, Samardija, and Zimmerman) we will have the resources (Upton/Heyward/Uggla salaries) to sign the ace we never had who can lead our revamped staff in 2017. For sake of this discussion I will say we sign David Price.
During the off-season's before we move into SunTrust Park we will have the increased revenue to go along with the increase in impactful prospects to go out sign and/or trade for whatever we need to put our ball club over the top. Again for sake of discussion we will say we are going to need a LF and CF. So here's what I would do, (it's very hard to project what FA will be available and at what level guys are still producing at, but for fun):
1. Trade B.J Upton, David Carpenter and Tommy La Stella to whichever team is willing to give us the most in terms of CASH or prospects (assuming we have to attach Carpenter and La Stella to make it worthwhile for teams)
2. Sign Carlos Gomez, who will become a FA in 2017 to play CF.
3. Trade Mike Minor, Evan Gattis and Luis Avilan to the Cleveland Indians for Michael Brantley, Cody Allen, and Francisco Mejia. We would have Brantley to play LF, Cody Allen to help set-up Kimbrel, and Mejia would give us another catching prospect.
4. Trade for Jake McGee- Something along the lines of Cody Martin and Tyler Pastornicky should get it done.
I am not saying any of this will happen, but these are certainly similar to the moves that could take place. I am saying this is the kind of progression that could take place if we decide to "Retool" this year before Heyward and Upton can leave via FA.
With the moves above our roster and 2017 Opening Day lineup could look something like this:
Rotation:
1. David Price- LHP
2. Julio Teheran- RHP
3. Taijuan Walker- RHP
4. Alex Wood- LHP
5. Carlos Martinez- RHP
Bullpen:
Long Relief- David Hale/Victor Sanchez RHP
Middle Relief- Anthony Varvaro RHP
Middle Relief/LOOGY- Chasen Shreve LHP
Middle Relief- Shae Simmons RHP
Setup- Cody Allen RHP
Setup- Jake McGee LHP
Closer- Craig Kimbrel RHP
Lineup:
1. Jose Peraza- 2nd Base
2. Michael Brantley- Left Field
3. Carlos Gomez- Center Field
4. Freddie Freeman- 1st Base
5. D.J Peterson- 3rd Base
6. Stephen Piscotty- Right Field
7. Christain Bethancourt- Catcher
8. Andrelton Simmons- Shortstop
Bench:
1. Elmer Reyes- SS/2B
2. Todd Cunningham- OF
3. Kyle Kubitza/Joey Terdoslavich- 3B/(OF)
4. Alex Avila/Kurt Suzuki/Jarrod Saltalamacchia- Catcher
5. Phil Gosselin- 2B/3B/SS/OF
= Switch
= Lefty
I truly believe this would be a very good team that would be capable of staying competitive for many years. The rotation and bullpen would be our strongest asset and would be one of the better staffs in all of MLB. Offensively we wouldn't hit as many homers as in years past but we would get on base at a high clip, steal a bunch of bases, and would have as strong as defensive team as there is. Also, like John Hart mentioned earlier in the week, we would have very good depth at starting pitcher with guys like Lucas Sims, Jason Hursh, Robert Kaminsky, Victor Sanchez, and Mauricio Cabrera all in the minors and capable of stepping in should a need arise. I would certainly enjoy watching this club for many years!
Go Bravos and in John Hart We Trust!!!
