The Braves are looking to trade at least one of Michael Bourn or Nick Swisher before Opening Day and they’re willing to “to eat a significant portion of the salary” owed to either player to facilitate a deal, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports.
Given how aggressive Atlanta has already been on the trade market this winter, it’s no surprise that the rebuilding club is exploring getting at least some of the money owed to those two veterans off the team’s books. Swisher is owed $15MM in 2016 and he has a $14MM vesting option for 2017 that will be guaranteed if he makes 550 plate appearances next season and passes an end-of-year physical. Bourn is owed $14MM in 2016 with a $12MM vesting option for 2017 that also becomes guaranteed at the 550-PA plateau. Of the $29MM owed to the duo in 2016, however, $10MM will be covered by the Indians as part of the trade that brought both men to Atlanta in exchange for Chris Johnson last August.
Neither of those options seem particularly likely to vest while the two players are on Atlanta’s roster given how Freddie Freeman is locked in at first base and the starting outfield is slated to consist of Hector Olivera, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis. Emilio Bonifacio is also on hand as a low-cost backup center fielder, so Bowman thinks Bourn could be more expendable than Swisher, who can theoretically provide more value as a backup at first and both corner slots.
The big question about Swisher, however, is whether he’d be productive (or even able to play) over a full season given his surgically-repaired knees, even on a part-time basis. It’s worth noting that Bourn has also had his share of injury problems, as hamstring issues have undoubtedly played a role in his declining defense and stolen-base statistics over the last two seasons.
Between the injuries and struggles at the plate, Bourn (0.4 fWAR in 2014-15) and Swisher (-2.3 fWAR) are far from sterling trade candidates. It’s not completely out of the question, however, that the Braves could find a trade partner since they’re willing to eat some money. If the Braves are willing to pay as much as half of either player’s salary, and assuming Cleveland’s $10MM contribution is being split equally, Swisher and Bourn now cost in the neighborhood of $5MM and $4.5MM, respectively, for 2016. Those could be palatable prices for clubs looking for experienced veterans in backup roles, especially if there’s a team that believes Bourn or Swisher could rebound in a new environment.
In other breaking news….the sky is blue.
Who would swisher fit with? If Baltimore doesn’t get Davis could they deal for him? Or would he be a last last last resort for anyone ?
O’s should completely abandon the Chris Davis quest and trade for Swisher, requiring that Atlanta pay 50% of Swisher’s 2016 salary, then make sure that he doesn’t get the required 550 PA for his 2017 to vest. That’s about $7.5 mil for a guy who’s better at 1B than Pedro Alvarez, could play the OF in a pinch (Alvarez can’t), and could DH some. Baltimore needs to “move on” from the Davis handcuffs……Trumbo & swisher will come close to Davis’ production, at about 1/3 the cost (and a much shorter commitment)
Ooops…No edit button…..50% of Swisher’s salary would probably be just $5 million (Total salary = $15 mil…..Indians paying $5 mil of it….balance of $10 million,,,,…..Braves pay 50% = $5 mil……leaves $5 mil.)
I don’t think they should just immediately acquire Swisher. And I don’t think Trumbo Swisher comes close to Davis’s production. If they want a utility guy to play 1st, DH, and OF, can’t resigning Pearce do that? Also, there are better relatively cheap 1B options still left, like Justin Morneau.
Do you think that Pearce is going to come in anywhere near $5 mil? I don’t think Morneau will either. I like both players……and maybe you’re right about them………
But remember, Trumbo hit 33 bombs just a couple years ago…..Swisher might hit 15 playing at Camden Yards……and Davis is probably going to produce a little less as we go forward (age). Factor in that Davis will cost at least $24 million, and the average salary for Trumbo & Swisher will be around $7 Mil……..there’s plenty of money left to add Pearce (and his production), and a pitcher like Gallardo or Kennedy too!
Considering Pearce’s down year and the fact that he doesn’t have a long, sustained track record, I think $5 million for Pearce might be fair. Maybe a one year deal worth $3-$5 million with another couple of million in incentives. Wouldn’t break the bank for him, but gives him plenty of money if he plays well and he has the opportunity to get back on the market the next year.
Agreed. I think if they stand pat with trumbo and walker they will be doomed, they clearly can’t afford Davis asking price so swisher would be a good cheap switch hitting option and besides in a park like that, trumbo could easily hit 25-30 home runs and swish could easily tally 10-15 if healthy. I don’t think it’s the worst way to go for them
I’m worried that the Giants may be in on this
I hope they are
Eh, pass. Neither is a viable everyday left field option, nor are they an upgrade over what’s on the bench at a fraction of the price.
Poor Defense from both, production declining, I am sceptical that Giants would be in on either.
Bourn and Span are excellent case studies in why you should never depend on speed-based players to age well into their 30’s. Too much can go wrong.
I’m not sure how you can include Span in this case study. Also, Ryan Howard is an excellent case study in why you should never depend on power-based players to age well into their 30’s. Too much can go wrong.
Span has been affected by injuries rather than a declining skill set. I’m not a fan of light contact/speed guys over 30, but Span has not struggled the past few years outside of struggling with injuries.
Giants and royals seem possible for bourn and the Orioles or cards seem possible for swish. I imagine the braves will be willing to eat most of either contract for a mid level pitching prospect
Naaaaaaaaahhhhh
Swisher hit below the Mendoza line @ .196 I can’t imagine who would want him
It was barely more than 100 at bats. Plus he had an OBP of .350 and a leage average OPS+. Its not 1960, lot more to look at than batting average.
Actually, Swisher had 219 AB’s in 2015. And .312 OBP. I also saw that when I looked up the how many AB’s the guy had because I knew “barely more than 100 AB’s.” wasn’t right. Maybe you stopped watching baseball if the Braves were playing, I am sure a lot of people did. If so, I can see why you thought Swisher only got that many AB’s.
Package in a prospect or two and a deal might get done but just trying to unload some money off of these two just isn’t going to work like the Hanley / Pablo situation in Boston.
I’d take Bourn if the Braves ate $5m
That would mean that my team would pay $4,000,000
$4,000,000 seems reasonable enough for a 4th OF who can hit .240/.310/.350 with about 10 stolen bases.
If he does well with a change in scenery, he could be shopped at the deadline ($2m left on his contract)
If the Braves pay Bourn most of his money owed, then I could see them getting an AA project bullpen guy….
Not so sure about Swisher, but they might be better off keeping him until the deadline anyways….
Bourn is very replaceable with Inciarte, Bonifacio, and Mallex Smith even sitting at AAA…
I would be okay if the Giants got him in Bourn
If I am the braves I don’t eat much, I believe if one rebounds then at the deadline you get your prospect
That’s if they rebound. If they totally collapse then you’re stuck with nothing.
Even if that happens, a top prospect isn’t coming back unless they absolutely light it up (think video game numbers, considering their age). Best case scenario if they play would be a prospect in the 15-30 range depending on the farm system.
Braves actually received 15 million from the Indians. It was reported by AJC. So they are not owed as much money as you would think. Braves just have no spot for Bourn. I think they keep Swish as a backup for Freeman.
We have Bourn that will be there to help Mallet, we have Swisher to back up Freddie. They can not be any worse than what we trot out there, but if just one rebounds, we get a prospect that actually might make it to the major leagues.
See, the bigger problem really becomes evident when you look at the Braves holistically. If Olivera’s in the OF, with Inciarte & Markakis then there won’t be a whole lot of playing time for either Swisher or Bourn. If Freeman’s healthy then there’s not gonna be much for Swisher at 1B. And if Mallex is ready for The Show and there’s playing time for him in the OF, because someone else is either injured or a wash out, then that’ll probably be a better move for the Braves to play him instead of putting Swisher and/or Bourn on the field.
It’s a whole lot of “if’s”. I expect to see Bourn and Swisher getting a lot of playing time in ST, for the Braves, and if they can show that they’re recovered from the injuries that did them in last year then maybe another team might come calling. For now, I think it’s only about the Braves checking to see what prospects might be available to them in such a trade.
Somewhere Brian Cashman has his arms folded, is nodding his head yes, and is smiling.
Bourn to the Angels for a middling prospect makes sense.
Good Luck. Together they’re worth a bag of used baseballs. Swisher is physically shot and Bourne is a mere shell of the player he once was.
Fantasy baseball: do you think the dodgers would trade clayton kershaw for the yankees aaron judge,greg bird,and luis severino?or do you think they will have to put in jorge mateo as well? Best blockbuster in years in my opinion.
Here’s a couple of ideas:
Bourn and $$ to AZ for Aaron Hill
Swisher and $$ to BAL for Dylan Bundy
Bourn and $$ to SF for Ty Blach other milb
Swisher and $$ to DET for Austin Kubitza
LOL, Unless Bundy’s arm has completely fallen off, they arent getting Bundy for Swisher
They might get Dylan Bundy’s shoes. No COA though.
Giants just hung up the phone on you.
Even if the Braves ate 100% of their salaries I doubt any team would give up a top 30 team prospect for either Swisher or Bourn. They simply don’t have the trade value at this point (and are unlikely to improve to that point if the Braves keep them).
Aaron Hill makes even less sense for the Braves at this point.
Those deals with the Orioles and Giants heavily favor the Braves.
Package the both of them in a deal with Tehran to get rid of them like you already did with upton and kimbrel.
Teheran didn’t have a great 2015…….his trade value is down this winter from last…..He’s also a great mid-season trade target, if he can regain his form and dominate in the 1st half. Your good buddies (the Dodgers) are going to be in the market for a mid rotation arm in July…….and they have plenty of stock on the farm…..
Them using Upton and Kimbrel as additional leverage to remove bloated contracts is one of the reasons they no longer are in a situation where they have to do the same with Teheran. If they deal Teheran it is incredibly unlikely at this point to be motivated by getting rid of Bourn or Swisher.
I don’t see why the money would even make sense for the Braves this season they are going to be terrible no matter what and they can not get anything for the two of them, might as well just keep them till the deadline then try an acquire a mid level prospect if that
True, but either way, they’ll be shedding 50% of the $19 million that they owe them (a savings of $9.5 mil). Teams that trade for them in July don’t get to attach a QO (not that they would)…..but the option is there when they’re on the roster all year. Right now, teams might take a chance……….if they both suck in July…..the Braves will get nothing at all.
They need the roster spot and don’t have anywhere to showcase them
probably because the odds of them getting even a warm body in exchange for either of them at any point in the next calendar year are slim to none and actually playing them will probably do more harm than good considering how often they both get injured lately.
and this point just finding somebody to take even part of their contracts is a win for the Braves… getting anything useful in return would be quire the accomplishment.
Wheres the guy that came up with the 50-something player trade? With Bourn, Swisher and Freeman coming up in trade rumors recently, you would think he would be out here posting his trade ideas.
Pick a team, BAL, SD, NYY, of PIT and I can think of a package deal that works for both teams.
“Would like to deal one of two”
Yeah, they know they’d Be very lucky to deal one of two, though they would love to dump both of those bums.