New Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos spoke to reporters (including MLB.com’s Mark Bowman and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien) about his team’s offseason shopping list, which includes a third baseman, bullpen help, and a controllable starting pitcher. The “backdrop of everything” with the Braves’ plans, Anthopoulos stressed, is an improved defense. “If we can improve in just one area defensively, we’re going to make 12 or 13 guys on that [pitching staff] a lot better,” the GM said. As Bowman points out, this would seem to hint that Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis could be moved, as both outfielders posted subpar fielding numbers last season. It may still be a while before we see one of Anthopoulos’ signature major trades, however, as he said he is still familiarizing himself with Atlanta’s baseball operations department after only a few weeks on the job. While he wouldn’t rule out some notable moves, “I would say my thought for Year 1 would be a more cautious approach,” Anthopoulos said. He also believed that the Braves’ payroll would likely remain around the $130MM mark.
Some more rumblings from around the NL East…
- With the Braves looking for third base help, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro believes they could at least be open to a trade for the Marlins’ Martin Prado. One would think Miami would have to eat a big chunk of the $28.5MM owed to Prado through 2019 to make any trade involving the veteran work, as Prado was limited to just 37 games last season due to hamstring injuries and knee surgery. The well-respected Prado would be a good leader within a young Atlanta clubhouse, however, and Prado has a long relationship with the Braves after spending his first 10 pro seasons in the organization.
- In two other tweets, Frisaro notes that the Marlins may be better served by trading Christian Yelich, even though the team’s “sentiment…is to retain” the young outfielder. Getting a big haul of talent in an “overpay situation” for Yelich would greatly help Miami restock its farm system, plus Frisaro cites the factor that Yelich may simply be tired of playing for losing teams. While Yelich’s name has surfaced in trade speculation, the Marlins are in no particular rush to deal him; the outfielder is locked up on a contract that runs through at least the 2021 season.
- The Nationals got a lot of production off the bench from Howie Kendrick and Adam Lind last year, and GM Mike Rizzo told MASNsports.com’s Pete Kerzel and other reporters that he is open to a reunion with either player. Playing time could be an issue, as while both Kendrick and Lind saw significant action in 2017, they theoretically wouldn’t be used as much next year since the Nats expect better health throughout their lineup. The two veterans could therefore try to sign for teams that could promise them more regular at-bats.
- The Mets and Orioles have had some talks about Matt Harvey, and while Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com is “all for [the O’s] taking a flier on Harvey,” doing so in a trade for Brad Brach would be ill-advised from the Orioles’ perspective. Dealing a proven quality reliever like Brach is too much of a risk, since Harvey is a question mark after two injury-plagued down years. Fortunately for Connolly’s concerns, a Brach-for-Harvey trade doesn’t seem to be a likely possibility.
Please braves no on prado!!!!
IF, and only IF the Marlins would pair Yelich with Prado would I think it would make much sense for Atlanta. I know that many people don’t expect for Miami to pair those two up just to get rid of money, but don’t forget that the Marlins just got rid of the reigning MVP in an effort to shed payroll. Even with the negative effect Prado’s salary would help on the deal it is likely to still net Miami a few good prospects.
Atlanta is looking to give up an outfielder as we speak. I don’t really think Christian Yelich would help that.
Many reports have the Braves looking to get rid of TWO outfielders, namely Kemp and Markakis. Acuna is slated to take over one spot (although many think it will be around May 1st or so) and that would leave another corner outfield spot open for a better defensive player. Yelich would most definitely be a desirable fit in Atlanta if they are able to part ways with both Kemp and Markakis.
Would seriously have to depend on what they give up and how much Miami pays.
The Marlin’s situation is like watching a luggage store hold a go out of business sale. Trying to move the good merchandise with a modest discount, and then it’s going to be whatever anyone is willing to pay.
How bout a Chase Headley/Clint Frazier package for the Braves Eating Headley’s contract and getting Frazier maybe Touki, Fuller & Pache could do it ?
I’m not convinced that Frazier is going to be successful enough offensively to be an everyday corner outfielder. In my mind that is too much going back towards the Yankees.
Judge didn’t look like he was going to be successful either after a short stint in his first year. AND Frazier was injured and younger. I think Frazier has a long way to go but needs to play everyday to see if he can do it.
I like the idea of him to the Braves for some SP prospects. Yankees still have McKinney who got hot late last year if they need to bring him up, but they have a surplus of OF’s as is. Get some young, viable SP’s
How many prospects didn’t look like they were going to be successful and DIDN’T become Aaron Judge? Judge was the very definition of an outlier.
Sorry bro…
I think and hope the Braves end up signing Mike M. He would only cost him a fourth round pick due to them losing their third and their first being protected. (At least that’s what I read) and if the Giants are afraid of losing the draft pick they may be able to get him at a decent deal. I wouldn’t go over 4/60 for him.
No to Moustakas. According to at least a few experts isn’t out of the realistic realm of possibilities that even as early as 2019 Austin Riley could out perform Moustakas in WAR.
I completely agree that Riley could. But that’s relying on one player. We could also push Riley’s service clock back a year by calling him up mid 2019 instead of September of this year.
There is also the absolute possibility that Riley is not even in the majors in 2019. I seriously doubt that any experts would say that about Moose.
I agree. I think Moustakis gives them the best all around 3B for the price. Otherwise we would have to look at the trade market.
Sign a guy who is a career .251 hitter with a lifetime OBP of .305 to a multi year FA contract?? C’mon now, you cannot be serious. There’s literally 0 chance Atlanta makes such a horrible signing
Yeah it’s not like they would ever sign BJ Upton or anything. That would just be ridiculous.
BJ Upton was a different administration though.
He has been in the league 7 years. Over the last 3 years, he owns a slash of .275/.329/.496. That’s what gets you paid – nobody cares what he did 5/6/7 years ago.
That being said, I wouldn’t want to sign him to a big money deal either. His defense took a turn for the worse last year, and I’m not sold on his big power numbers after only 1 year.
Not gonna get him for that
Brach for Harvey? I wouldn’t trade George Kontos for Harvey. Why would anyone give up a good player for a head case with a bum shoulder?
Mets should ask for a PTBNL situation with Harvey and have conditional deals based on how well he does. No one is giving up a good player expecting him to rebound.
Hoping, yes. Expecting, no. And the price will reflect that.
@forwhomthebelltolls
Hey Kontos is from my home town and High School. It was great watching his success with the Giants even if he was not a big cog.
Great point on your Harvey trade angle. I like that for the Mets if they can do that. Dump him and have ptbnl based upon his performance.
That is not only fair to all sides including giving Harvey a fresh start but its really the best way to try to recoup something for him.
Creative idea. I like it.
Please NO Prado
Even if Mets-Orioles agreed on a Harvey trade, no way Harvey passes their physical
Hahaha nice.
I don’t think the Marlins should trade Prado right now. He averaged a 3 Bwar from 2014-2016 but didn’t do anything last year. If he returns to an above average player again they could get some more for him in the summer from a team looking for third base/utility help.
Have you seen the market for position players the past few summers? The best time to trade Prado is during the offseason when almost everyone has hope. If you wait until the trading deadline, you are limited to 10-15 teams and most of them are looking for pitching.
I’m not saying that they can get a top 100 prospect, but they may still get a decent one while shedding the contract. Of course, that completely depends on if he plays well and if other teams suddenly get a need due to injuries or under performance. I don’t see anyone taking him right now when everyone is expected to be healthy.
Britton for harvey and prospects
Would marlins be inclined to move yelich if Chen or other bad contract was attached?? Or would they want to get rid of Castro? Wong, alcantara, kelly, grichuk for yelich and Castro close? Id rather have wong but he’s cheap and might be good for marlins.
For them to move Yelich. I’d imagine that they would want 2 top 50 prospects plus a couple if lower prospects. I seriously doubt that they’d use Yelich to get rid of Chen or Prado. For Yelich and Castro. They’d have to include Reyes, Wong, One of Weaver, Flaherty, or Alcantara, plus another prospect. Maybe Bader. Price would be sky high and you really can’t fault them for it
Moustakas=flashinthepan
Send Markakis to the Orioles so he can finish his career there.
Same #$$”$ Braves…i’m done ..welcome Yankees
imagine if we were to land Archer, Prado and Yelich…?
we have the prospects and the need. makes a potential problem for the Nats. that outfield would be awesome. plus Archer puts our current SPs in their correct place. I think if we can swing it, makes sense.