The Braves are pushing Evan Gattis hard in the early-goings at the GM Meetings, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Sherman notes that American League clubs are a better fit as they’d allow Gattis the chance to DH more often and take the field sparingly.
Gattis has been considered a trade candidate for the past few months, with the Braves desiring to clear a path for the defensively gifted Christian Bethancourt behind the dish. Gattis could be seen as an alternative to signing a player like Victor Martinez or Nelson Cruz — defensively limited bats in their own right that would cost tens of millions of dollars on a four-year deal.
Any team acquiring Gattis would be acquiring four years of his service, which should net a rather significant return for the Braves. The 28-year-old Gattis hit .263/.317/.498 with 22 homers in just 401 plate appearances this season. He missed some time with a bulging disc in his back — another reason that some additional DH time might work in his favor.
They should get a “significant” return for him. If not then keep him as the pinch hitter, back-up catcher.
problem is J Up and Hayward are gone after this year, and if Gattis regresses, which he will, then we are stuck with him.
not necessarily because i heard the braves were already discussing a multiple year contract extension with the braves ….
you mean the Hayward extension? yeah, because J Up is more tradeable than Hayward. J Up is going to get expensive if we keep him longer.
well it isnt likle we dont have the money we have tens of millions of dollars in revenue coming in from cobb county for the new stadium …with that revenue stream coming in we can afford to sign gattis heyward and upton all long term
but the problem is can J Up do 30-40 hrs a year for 6-7 years?
yep
Justin has the type of skills that don’t age well. He has already shown a decreased ability to make contact on high fastballs in the zone while swinging at more and more pitches out of the zone. I like the guy a lot but there is no way I would sign him to a 6 to 7 year deal. Heyward, on the other hand, should easily warrant a 6 – 7 year deal.
Heyward*…
He improved this year, in only his second year. Why would he regress?
Some feel that Gattis’ hot streak was a fluke, and he’s older than the curve. He likely is who he is right now or possibly slightly worse.
Older doesn’t mean that he has the normal wear and tear that others at his age at his position have. And he dismissed the “fluke” theory this year with his numbers, which were improved from last year.
What I mean is there are some people that think that the hot
streak Evan Gattis had back in June was a fluke and not his real self. I’m not sure on what Evan Gattis truly is myself. I’m in on the fangraphs article that says “Evan Gattis tells us nothing”. Maybe he is the big near MVP caliber like middle of the lineup hitter, maybe he’s just a run of the mill above average hitting catcher, or maybe he’s a below average hitter that is all or nothing like some people think. And what I’m meaning on he’s older is, he isn’t going to have as many peak years. Personally I think his peak years are probably 2014-2016 or 2017.
Yeah, he’s no .300 hitter. But he is likely to hit above .250 every year and hit 20+ HR’s while providing league average defense. Nothing wrong with that while we still control him and he’s on a limited salary. Gattis’ production is one reason we shouldn’t be in a rush to push Bethancourt into a starting role until he is more refined.
Because he is already 28.
He’s in his prime, and with very little wear and tear on his body. Also still in pre arb years, which is cheap and controlled.
.290/.342/.558, 16 HR in 243 PA pre-ASB and .221/.278/.393, 6 HR in 158 PA post-ASB is why he might regress. Atlanta needs to trade him while his value is at it’s highest.
You’re going to use a small sample size, of which he came back after an injury? He surpassed what most thought he would do this year. He’s our best option. You’re taking one of our teams best offensive players off of the field, on a team that desperately needs offense, for a light hitting replacement in Bethancourt, who is only slightly better as far as projections defensively. Yeah…..that makes sense.
As far as the Gattis vs Bethancourt argument, I could use the same small sample sized theory as you used to show you that Bethancourt was actually worse defensively this year than Gattis. Think about that….
Heyward*
Back up catcher? He should be starting….
Texas, TB and Seattle all make sense. Could you imagine Gattis behind Cano as lineup protection? Wooo that would be a potent 1-2 punch for them.
Texas would be great for him since he’s from Texas. Gattis for Alex Gonzalez and Nick Williams maybe? Gattis for Elias+ from the Mariners.
A Gonzalez and Rua? Might be fair. What would we have to add to get Austin Jackson and Elias?
The M’s really need a righty to slip between Cano and Seager. Then they’d have a nice 1-2-3 punch in the middle of the order. I like the sound of Gattis who actually has defensive value and so could be the right-handed half of a DH platoon with a lefty DH/PH type without burning a roster spot.
And don’t forget that the Mariners are apparently shopping Michael Saunders. I think a realistic deal would be DH/C Evan Gattis and OF Kyle Wren for 3B/1B D.J. Peterson and OF Michael Saunders.
Wren projects as a Ben Revere (ceiling)/Sam Fuld (realistic) type outfielder and D.J. Peterson is one of the biggest batting prospects in the minors, but is blocked at 3B by Kyle Seager (the Mariners are considering switching Peterson to 1B). None of the players come at a high cost, so it would allow both teams to pursue additional needs via free agency.
it will never happen because the braves will never ever trade gattis regardless of the return they get for him this is nothing more than a sportswriter running his mouth when he has no documentation nor concrete evidence to prove his argument…the braves have publicly stated numerous times on many different media publications that gattis is not available nor will he ever be
Your a bit overvaluing Gattis. He doesn’t really add any fear there.
Sounds like a trade involving Hellickson for Gattis may really happen.
Can’t imagine the Braves would do that trade. Why trade him if all they would get is a bad #5 starter?
I never suggested it would be a 1 for 1 deal. I said a trade involving those players may happen
I should have said it differently….i don’t think the Braves would have any interest in Hellickson at all…at least they shouldn’t with their new sabermetric focused front office.
First of all, Hellickson isn’t a “bad #5 starter”. Secondly, Gattis’ value is nowhere near you seem to think it is.
Good pitcher bad pitcher it really doesn’t matter. If you watched the Braves at all last year you know that can’t afford to trade hitting for pitching. Got to be a bat projectable within the next two years involved or the Braves “Should” have no interest.
Helli isn’t that bad. He doesn’t have blow you away stuff but when he’s on his game he is a really good pitcher. His FIP and his don’t match up. A lot of the runs scored off Helli were off a lot of weak contact.
Because they have had better success with some of these pitchers. Roger McDowell has been fairly good getting these “reclimation” projects. He isn’t that expensive so it may be a good shot. I think the deal will grow off Hellickson and Gattis to involve probably more than 4 players, if the Braves and Rays make a deal.
Gattis’ value far exceeded Hellickson’s. Gattis has twice as many years of team control remaining, has produced well offensively, Hellickson has an ERA over 5 for the last two years and his peripherals don’t paint a more hopeful picture.
I hope the mariners dont get him and with another bat they can become scary
Hellickson is projected at .4 WAR next season while Gattis is at 2.9 WAR
I’d like to see them get a good return, but maybe they can make it mandatory to include BJ Upton in lieu of a return.
Gattis will net us propsects, and we can swap bad contracts in the same deal for BJ
That would be cheap and stupid. Upton is owed $46.35 million over the next 3 years. Gattis should be worth 7-9 wins over that time, plus a 4th year of control after that. If you trade Gattis for nothing, you still have to replace those wins, and that will cost you the money saved from Upton (and more, probably). If you’re going to trade Gattis to get better, then get better; get something for him.
It’s sarcasm.
I understandably missed that, seeing as how that’s a popular option often bandied about by Braves fans.
I think Mariners got the advantage if they want him
What would the Braves be looking for? The M’s have middle infielders, right-handed relievers and (for a very good return) a couple young starting pitchers. They can also take on some salary.
The Braves need pitching and offense (3B or CF in particular).
Elias + With bullpen arm. I think can do the deal.
The M’s have zilch at CF except maybe waaaay down in the farm system. They have two 3B’s in AA who could be attractive: DJ Peterson and Patrick Kivlehan. They should be in AAA this year though. You can’t have Seager.
Peterson plus a good right-handed reliever? I could see the M’s doing that since Gattis has four years left of team control.
Seager was going to be unrealistic anyway.
For trades, the Mariners have one of the best hitting prospects at 3B. D.J. Peterson, who is blocked at 3B (although the organization may move him to 1B), and they are trying to unload Michael Saunders this offseason as well.
Don’t forget the Mariners also have pitcher Luiz Gohara, who is a few years away but could end up being an ace. The Mariners probably make more sense than any other team in baseball. Both teams keep their payroll down and get something that they need while dealing in areas where they have great depth.
Latos for gattis
and he plays behind Mosaco? yeah.
Backup catcher and their starting LF would be what he’s wanting.
Braves should focus on getting a top of the order bat in return for him even if they gotta throw in a little extra to get a good one.
Meh, they already have Heyward who can fill that role if necessary. They also have Jose Peraza who should be up sometime next year. I would rather they get a solid mid-rotation pitcher or a young 3B or CF for him.
Heyward is inconsistent though.
Not any more than any other player on the team. He had a bad April last year but was excellent after that.
Heyward is kinda wasted in that roll but an option. but even a number 2 hitter that can get on base and lead off here and there would be great. Freeman and J-Up’s production will not be as wasted as much as last year. Braves are good at finding cheap options for pitching. But Braves pitching will be wasted again if they don’t produce enough runs again.
I think the Cardinals should take a look at Gattis. They definitely have the system to package a deal for the braves and I think he would be an excellent fit due to the lack of power the cardinals have. The only issue I see here is related to his position. Can he play right? If not this deal will not get done. But if gattis & the cardinals think he can I could see gattis being a primary right fielder, secondary 1st basemen for Adams left hander woes and potential Yadi insurance/spell at catcher. Could this happen?
I would salvate at getting any of the cards pitching prospects.
Gattis intrigues me as well. He really fits perfectly with what the Cardinals need. Would the Braves be interested in Bourjos? If so, maybe Bourjos and Cooney for Gattis?
If Gattis could play OF the Braves would keep him. He’s a DH/back-up catcher only
It’s not that he can’t, it’s more that he shouldn’t be as a regular there the same can be said for 1st base and catcher. It’s why he’s a better fit in the AL otherwise having to use a defensive replacement for him when the team has a lead. Just lacks the range for outfield.
he can play the outfield very well….
LOL….just no. His idea of playing the OF is to let the ball drop and then run after it.
Gattis for Hultzen (M’s)
No way.
Too much risk for the Braves side. If Hultzen can’t come back from his injuries, then the Braves will have given Gattis away for nothing. This deal only works if the Braves are willing to bank on Hultzen making a full recovery, which I personally wouldn’t if I’m dealing away one of my best trade chips.
I hope these rumors are true, but the Braves have to make a good trade in this situation. The Braves have their share of offensive troubles, so trading a piece like Gattis would have to benefit them for the future. I’m hoping the Braves can cut a lot of dead weight like Chris Johnson, B.J. Upton, and others, but you have to be realistic. It would be nice to get a legit prospect in return and possibly flip a pitching prospect in a salary dump move with B.J. Upton. Doubtful, but we can dream.
In return for gattis I want a prospect in a major league ready player.
Bad idea. We got a team that can’t hit for anything and the one guy that was hitting pretty decent with power and has 4 years of control and we’re getting rid of him? I think the FO is over valuing him.
Which is it?
They’re looking to move him because they’re over-valuing him? He’s the one guy who hits but he’s over-valued?
I think for Gattis the Braves should be able to get in return either a number 3# starer or a top 50 prospect. Defense wise Gattis he a liability either as a catcher or as an outfield late in the game. Having said all of that Evan Gattis he is a very good hitter. For a team in the AL such as the Rays or Ms who could use a power bat Gattis could be what this team needs to become a world series contender.
dont worry about it GATTIS WILL NEVER BE TRADED ….TRUST ME..I KNOW MORE ABOUT the braves and how their organization is run than 9/10ths of the people speculating about gattis being traded,ive been a braves fan for 40 years …trust me people gattis wont be traded for anything less than a david price type pitcher or mike trout type hitter….
Speculation that Gattis won’t be traded. It doesn’t matter how long you have been a Braves fan.
Maybe the angels can trade for david price then package him with trout and get gattis. Gee golly that would be swell.
Wouldn’t be enough. Trust me.
Jarrod Dyson and a prospect for Gattis. Gattis can DHAR and backup Perez. Dyson can start in CF when the Braves unload BJ Upton.
thats an interesting trade very intriguing
I don’t think so, unless the prospect is someone like Sean Manaea. Dyson doesn’t hit any better than BJ Upton…..he’s more of a 4th OF.
“Doesn’t hit any better” ignores how horrible B.J. is, but I agree Dyson isn’t the answer to any of the Braves problems. He is a nice piece, but just isn’t a real difference maker.
BJ had a wRC+ of 74 last year and Dyson had a wRC+ of 85. Both were really horrible.
This is interesting, but I would want a little more if I was in the Braves’ camp. Maybe it’s just that I am a huge Gattis fan and I know he is better suited to the AL. Maybe Gattis for Dyson and Finegan?
Finnegan can’t be traded until after next year’s draft because he was a 2014 draftee.
I would say it would have to be a high ceiling prospect with a somewhat low amount of risk for the Braves to bite on that deal.
High ceiling + low risk = surefire star.
Those guys don’t typically get dealt for the Evan-Gattis-es of the world.
My mistake. I completely messed that up somehow, Meant to put mid-to-high ceiling prospect. The higher the ceiling of said prospect, the more risk associated with him.
Go to the cardinals as a backup catcher and right fielder and that can hit as well
Good, I think it’s smart to trade him right now where his value is at his highest. I personally believe Gattis has a lot of flaws in his game that may be exposed in the future. Sure his raw power is intriguing, specially from the catchers position, problem is his future doesn’t seem to be as a catcher.
I like what Hart is doing, trade Gattis, arbitration offer to Ervin Santana(that was rejected meaning they will get a draft pick. After they deal Gattis, they should also trade Justin Upton.
Perfect fit for Mariners
Need a DH and also a 4th OF pref a righty to platoon with Saunders or Ackley
Gattis for Helickson also makes sense
Braves need pitching
Rays need some power from the right ride (DH,C,LF)
Great get for the rays if they get him
Braves need to balance the lineup more so than pitching.
Agreed. Also Braves will be looking for more than Hellickson to trade Gattis, as their FO thinks very highly of Gattis.
Anybody think the Indians could be in on Gattis? They could definitely use a power bat.
I hope not. I don’t want him. He’s going to be way over priced for a DH, since that’s all we would use him for.
Braves should trade Gattis to the Cubs for Alcantara (2B,OF)……..then somehow lose B.J. Upton. and let Alcantara play CF and bat leadoff. Cubs looking for a catcher…..
I don’t know if Cubs would give Alcantara. Their approach seems to be to hoard prospects and see who comes out on top and reaches their potential. Although I’m sure Epstein wouldn’t hang up the phone since Gattis is still cost-controlled and the deal would likely hinge on how much more the Braves asked in return.
Reminds me a lot of Mike Napoli. A guy who can definitely hit, but pretty rough behind the plate. I think whatever team gets him will be happy they did, even if he has to play first base more often than not.
Gattis an johnson to Cleveland for chisenhall an a pitcher
No way the Indians trade their only competent 3rd baseman, to fill a need they don’t have.
They also wouldn’t take Johnson’s horrible contract. In other words: No.
I don’t kno about dealing Lonnie. Honestly I think the indians should consider a platoon with him and urshela at 3b next yr. I think Zmac should b included because the braves need some sp. They need to add a few more pieces tho.
The 90’s Tribe featured the “All-Star at every position”. This proposal gets them 3/8ths of the way to having a catcher at every position. That seems like an odd way to fill out the lineup card.
Let’s go white sox!
Update your post, Per David O’Brien and Mark Bowman (twitter) John Hart said they are not and have shopped Gattis or anyone else. . . yet anyway