But in reality who’s really going to want Teheran or Markakis as anything other than a salary dump? The only way to get rid of them would be to take back an equally unattractive player with an equally, or worse, contract situation. That wouldn’t help us at all in the Yelich situation.
Markakis shouldn't be a
complete salary dump. His contract isn't bad for what he brings to the table. I don't think you can get much back for him and would need to send money. The Orioles owner loves him and they have some need for an OF so I would try a Folty and Markakis plus ($5M) for Hays and Harvey. Saves the Braves about 3 on Folty and 5 on Markakis for a total of $8M
Teheran should be easily traded for he has value in his performance and contract, just not the TOR value some once thought he had. Several teams have a need for a guy like him. The Yankees, Brewers, Twins, etc. I would try to get a Brewers trade done maybe Teheran and Viz for OF's Lutz, Phillips and Harrison. Saves Braves 8 on Teheran and 4 on Viz.
I would move Inciarte if I could get the right value. Maybe to the Cubs who could use a LO CF for Happ (Braves play Happ at 3B/Util). Saves Braves about $4M
So, I've moved $24M.
Then I do a deal with the Marlins where I take back Chen and Prado in addition to Yelich and Straily (adds about $35M for 2018) for Allard, Sims, Pache and Derian Cruz.
That of course assumes that the Braves have a little payroll room left to go.
Straily and Chen go into the rotation and short term replace Folty and Teheran. Prado starts at 3B. Outfield starts Happ, Yelich, Phillips then becomes Happ, Yelich, Acuna pretty quick with an eventual Hays, Yelich, Acuna and Happ going to 3B.
Minter gets a shot to close.
You trade Prado, Chen and/or Straily if you can move any of their money at any time during 2018 or 19 when teams get desperate. If you can't you live with it as the price of getting Yelich.