Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos suggested today that he’s not looking only to make a minor addition or two. Rather, as Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM tweets, the Atlanta executive says his club “can afford to add a starter and reliever and a bat.” And the organization won’t just be considering adding supplemental temporary pieces; rather, per Anthopolous, “we are looking for acquisitions on players we can control rather than rentals.” Needless to say, those comments tend to expand the conceivable array of possibilities for the Braves. With a healthy array of prospects available to deal from, the Braves could certainly make a run at a player who’d be viewed as a major present and future asset.
Here’s more trade chatter from the day …
- MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand pegs the Cubs as a possible Nathan Eovaldi suitor. It’s easy to see the connection: the Rays right-hander holds out some real promise of being a weapon down the stretch, but his injury history and thin recent track record will likely limit the return the Tampa Bay organization can achieve. Meanwhile, the Cubs are arguably well-positioned to take a risk on a dynamic arm, as they have a decent array of at-least serviceable hurlers already on hand and also perhaps lack the upper-level prospect capital to chase down a more valuable commodity.
- Unsurprisingly, Feinsand further reports, the Indians are working hard to make an outfield addition. The club would prefer a player that’s capable of playing both center and right field, he notes. Perhaps the slate of targets depends most of all upon the degree to which the club feels it needs innings up the middle. Certainly, there are quite a few outfield possibilities listed among MLBTR’s top 75 trade deadline candidates. Among them, though, only a few really have significant experience in center. And the most obvious candidates that do — Curtis Granderson and Adam Jones — perhaps aren’t optimal up-the-middle defenders at this stage. (That’s not to say that either of those two names is currently of interest to Cleveland, though the organization has previously been tied to Jones.)
- While the focus is on the pitching staff, the Mets are getting some hits on mid-season acquisitions Jose Bautista and Devin Mesoraco, per Mike Puma of the New York Post (via Twitter). Both players are headed for the open market at season’s end, though they are in different contractual situations otherwise. Bautista is playing for the league minimum, while the Mets owe Mesoraco some real cash. (Per reports at the time Mesoraco was acquired for Matt Harvey, the Reds sent money sufficient to pay down the difference in the two players’ salaries, suggesting that the Mets still are responsible for the balance of a $5.6MM annual salary.) It seems reasonable to anticipate that both players will be moved. Since joining the Mets, Bautista has produced a strong .235/.396/.432 batting line and Mesoraco has sported a league-average bat while lining up behind the dish.
- Speaking of Harvey, he’s also a potential trade chip after a mostly sturdy showing thus far with the Reds. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick runs down the latest on his market, noting that the Mariners and Brewers have poked around a bit on the former ace. Both teams, presumably, see Harvey as a potential upgrade over internal options, though certainly there’s not much to commend him as a front-line hurler at this stage. Through 68 frames in Cincinnati, Harvey is carrying a mid-nineties heater. But he still hasn’t rebounded in the swinging-strike department and owns only a 4.50 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.0 B/9.
- The Brewers are evidently open to being rather creative, as MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets that they have actually considered the idea of bumping Travis Shaw to second base to facilitate the acquisition of Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. That’s a bit of an eyebrow-raising concept at first glance, given that Shaw — who’s listed at 6’4 and 230 pounds — has never lined up at second base as a professional. While Moustakas figures to help out some contending organization, it’s not as if he’s a unique piece on the market. And there are quite a few accomplished hitters available who have experience up the middle.
Based on that AA statement, my money (if they pull it off) is something along the lines of Realmuto, Fulmer, and Vazquez. Not those names specifically, but getting that tier of player. And I wouldn’t mind those trades if done smartly.
Braves would seem to pair up well with the O’s re Bundy and Gaus—two of the better SP’s in the AL. Plus only getting better.
Questionable Gausman will ever get better. More likely with Bundy
They need an ace not some questionable pitchers.
2 of the best starting pitchers in the AL? What lol
They are barely middle tier AL pitcher. 2 of the O’s better starting pitchers yes but not AL lol
Let them face AL central teams 18 times each per season, rather than AL east teams that many times and both are more than likely far better than they have been and better than mid rotation type numbers, especially Bundy.
So they’re only good if they don’t face top competition?
What good does that do in the playoffs?
“better” and “best” are different words buddy. Neither of those pitchers are bad and neither are great.
I assume that Dimitrios meant “two of the better [available] SP’s in the AL,” which I believe is accurate. Neither the best available nor anywhere near the best overall, but pretty good in relation to everyone else who may be available.
Lmao Bundy and Gausman A’s two of the better starting pitchers in the AL might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. Between the two they’ve thrown in 9 big league seasons and have combined to put up an ERA below 4 exactly twice. They’re the definition of mediocre pitchers who can’t put it together.
It would take a boatload of prospects to get one guy of that caliber, let alone three, don’t you think?
if that’s the case for the braves I hope we go after degrom.
Wheeler and Todd Frazier for Enciarte and Terehan
I don’t think that should suprise anyone, especially since they toyed with the idea of moving Braun to 2B earlier on…
However, just like with Braun, I doubt Shaw ever sees an inning at 2B..
Milwaukee is probably in ongoing discussions with a trade partner, and they want to make it seem like they’re still looking at other positions..I’m sure it is nothing more than a relative smokescreen, like 75% of the rumors out there this time of year..
I know they talked about Braun at 1B.. but 2B?? Lol. I wouldn’t do all that just for Moose. He is a good player. But GOOD.
Yeah, this is an incredibly bad idea. Defense has been a strong suit this season (until very recently anyway). Let’s keep it that way.
Moustakas isn’t nearly a big enough upgrade for this kind of nonsense.
It’s most likely a smoke screen but if they are talking Brewers- Royals trade then they are probably thinking of bringing in Moose and Whit Merrifield.
I can’t imagine how rough of a go that would be for Shaw at the keystone. He would never be able to turn double plays fast enough.
I think it would be awesome. When Aguillar and Thames get back they could go all in screw the defense mode.
Cain-CF
Yelich-RF
Aguillar-3B
Shaw-2B
Braun-LF
Thames-1B
Saladino/Miller-SS
Pina-C
That might be one of the worst defensive teams ever assembled, but that’s what happens when the GM only trades, signs, and drafts OF and 1stbasemen.
They could’ve really thrown caution to the wind if they would of kept Choi on the roster and left Santana on the MLB club.
Starting to make sense now why Perez and Kratz are getting so many innings on the mound this year.
I laughed for a really long time at this comment, til I realized it was possible and it turned into tears
Really dumb comment. Brewers are a very good defensive team.
Also, Stearns is the best GM this team has had since Harry Dalton, and it’s not close.
Clearly you haven’t been watching them play the last few weeks.
There is only 1 player on the list I made that hasn’t played that position and that’s Shaw at 2nd.
Shaw might actually be a defensive upgrade over Miller too.
Saladman has been solid with the bat but he’s been a tosser in the field. The last week or so he’s been almost unplayable defensively like you just expect him to make 1 or 2 errors a game.
You are correct Milwaukee’s defense was great this year. They started the year off pretty poor for the 1st 2 weeks then they picked it up and were incredible until recently.
Once they started making moves for offense like bringing up Miller and sending Arcia to AAA they turned into butchers real quick.
Kratz has been getting a lot of PT over Pina lately, Aguillar playing 3B, Thames starting in the OF, Miller, Saladman, etc…
What once was a team with good pitching and defense has quickly become a team with a bunch of injured pitchers and 1stbasemen.
Reminds me a little of the 1986 Mets lineups that utilized Kevin Mitchell at SS, Howard Johnson at either 3B or SS, and Tim Teufel at 2B.
Gooden, Fernandez, and company *had* to strikeout as many as they could to keep grounders from finding all those holes.
Thames is more likely to play third over Agular. If I remember right Thames played a little second when he came up with the blue jays
Aguilar has actually played 3b this season, though. Wasn’t much, like a couple innings, but stil…
Thames never played 2B with the Toronto Blue Jays. Or 3rd. If he’s an option for Milwaukee they may as well pack it in and let Pittsburgh pass them. Brewers need to make a deal for a middle infielder in the worst way.
It truly is amazing the depth of quality starting pitching prospects the Braves have built up. Soroka, Fried, Gohara, Allard, Toussant, and Wright all can be used to accomplish exactly what Anthopoulos hinted at. Exciting times ahead for Atlanta.
Ian Anderson should be in that mix, too. Bryse Wilson, Kyle Muller, and Joey Wentz aren’t too shabby either.
TINTSTAAPP
True. I was only going off of what I’ve seen personally at the AA level and above. I’ll get my first taste of Wilson tonight.
Please AA whatever you do, just do not trade Wright, Anderson, Touki, Pache, Wentz, Contreras, or especially Waters!!
If I had to choose 5, I’d say keep Touki, Anderson, Pache, Contreras, and Waters..
I don’t know you! But I’ve echoed a similar statement! Take Soroka, Wright, Pache, Waters, and Contreras off the table.
Very nice to see another intelligent Braves Fan. Thank God.
I also think Bryse Wilson is gonna be good. Would like to keep him, but I could part with him if he got us some help at the MLB level.
Braves top tier is Soroka, Wright, Gohara, and Allard. Fried, Anderson, Toussaint, Wilson, Wentz, Tarnok, Muller and Weigel could all go without doing much harm to MLB team. Why keep them for anything except the bullpen.
Because pitching can be depleted in one season due to injuries. Gotta have a stockpile. If it appears all is well w/ the major league club, then some can be moved. Braves aren’t there yet.
We can give you what you need. Avisail Garcia, James Shields, and Joakim Soria for a package around Max Fried and Austin Riley. Maybe some cash to buy a few more prospects.
Lol my word what is this
Tbh remove Shields and replace Riley with a different prospect and it makes more sense
The Braves and Padres could work something out,
Kirby Yates, Tyson Ross and Christian Villanueva for Austin Riley and Tucker Davidson.
The Padres trade two guys that rumors have been swirling around and sell high on Villanueva. The Braves cab play him against lefties and Camargo against righties. Ross immediately slides into the rotation to solidify it down the stretch band Yates gives Atlanta quality late inning relief for the next 3 seasons for dirt cheap.
Riley slots in as the 3B of the future in Sand Diego and is the continuation of Preller’s stacking of top prospects. A very similar deal to the Hand one where two big leaguers with control fetch an elite prospect. Yates and Villanueva have the control with Ross as the sweetener.
Gross, Villanueva. If only 75% of the league weren’t righties.
We have been looking for our 3B of the future since Chipper and we give him away for a platoon – which we have been trying for the last few years (i.e. Adonis Garcia anyone?).
Ross can’t get out lefties anymore and doesn’t belong in a contending rotation. A bullpen maybe as a righty on righty reliever but not necessarily a good sweetener. And Camargo is tearing it up. Doesn’t really need a platoon right now. Yates is good. Not necessarily good enough to give up the future at third base though. No thanks!
Just keep on dreaming. The Braves aren’t about to give up their top position prospect when they have a huge hole at his position. Especially not for someone that wouldn’t even beat out Camargo for the spot.
Riley isn’t exactly making his case well. I think he could be moved. Colorado is starved for pitching, Atlanta should knock and see what’s needed for Nolan.
Nolan Arenado is the only player that Riley would be traded for. The Braves would probably have to throw in a couple of Wright/Gohara/Allard/Touki/Fried/Wilson/Soroka as well but it would be worth it.
Terrible hypothetical trade lol
Why because the Braves don’t fleece anybody in it? Brad Hand plus Adam Cimber just returned the number 15 prospect in all of baseball. Kirby has been better than Brad Hand this year and Ross plus Villanueva more than equal the value of Cimber so what’s the gripe? Mejia is also way better than Riley. Why do you guys think you prospects are so good?
It’s not because we rthink Riley is so good. It’s because we have a definite need at his position and we don’t necessarily need Ross or Villanueva so why give up your future for players you don’t need. I agreed though Yates is really good this year. But it’s exactly that, he’s been good this year. Not the pedigree that Hand had either. He will still get a good return though.
But what if Riley isn’t the future? Are you sure he’s a lock?
He is a prospect you never know but he has improved every year and at least seems to have a decent floor now. He’s not a certainty but when it comes to our farm he’s the best and closest we have.
He better get on the power wagon and hit some HR’s soon.. He’s looking at falling short of his avg. I think Atlanta would expect closer to 30-40 out of a 3b.
I’d love to see Atlanta pry nolan arenado away from Colorado w/ a trade of Riley + 2 top pitching prospects (+/-).
Nathan Eovaldi…. I think of him as the SP version of Giles…
Please Do not trade for him Yankees.
the only person I’m trading for Harvey would be. Outfielder Grisham or the pitcher Wilkerson
No way I give up Grisham for Harvey.
Wilkerson, sure, but why would the Reds do that?
I wonder if Kansas City would go for Phillips, Gatewood, Villar, Ortiz and maybe Bickford for Duffy and Whittfield.
That or talk to Tampa Bay about Evoldi and the ss Duffy for that combo
Idk if thats enough for both, buts I like the idea of trying to get both
LOL……..Whittfield.
Anyway, I can’t imagine that’d be close for just Merrifield.. I’m also not sure Duffy has much value given his contract. vs production. He’s been terrible this year and is owed $50,000,000.
Duffy may be best availabe starter at this moment
Last 10 Starts
IP 62.2
ERA: 2.73
FIP: 3.77
K/9: 8.33
HR/9: 0.72
QS: 7
HC%: 35.8
Western PA native Devin Mesoraco would be a smart add for the Pirates, if Cervelli can’t stay behind the plate.
Why would the Pirates add?
Why wouldn’t they? Other than they’re too cheap
Cause mez is a rental and they pirates don’t look like they will beat out the Brewers or Cubs?
I live in the MY area and all we hear over here all day is how the dillusional Yankee fans think they should get DeGrom but what they dontvrealize is if DeGrom were actually to be made available the Braves would totally blow any Yankee offer out the park unless they included Sanchez or Torres which Cashman has said they are off limits
I could see in the off-season AA making an offer of
Anderson,Allard,Newcomb,Riley & Pache for DeGrom & Frazier
Would it be an overpay absolutely but that’s what it’s gonna take to get an ace like DeGrom an abundance of prospects, a young controllable SP that has proved upside in the majors and taking back a player with a high salary. If the Mets do decide to start a rebuild they then can move Syndagaard and restock even more. But all that will come in the off season.
I can’t imagine the Braves trade either Pache or Riley at all, let alone put both in the same trade. deGrom is good don’t get me wrong, but your deal is a nonstarter. It’s too steep a price even for deGrom.
DeGrom is great, but Sale is better and you just destroyed the return for him. That’s a gross overpay. You might get 2 of the 3 pitchers and 1 of Riley/Pache, but after that it’s going to be some Low A ball filler with a loud tool to dream on.
Like a skill saw or jackhammer?
I totally agree with you by the way. Maybe 2 top SP prospects + Riley OR Pache for DeGrom, anything more is too much. For any SP.
You think Pache/Riley were more highly touted than Moncada/Kopech?
Nothing to see here. This guy has been making horrendous trade proposals that actually usually hurt the Braves for a long time now. As a Braves fan I often wonder if he actually likes us or if he’s 8 and just doesn’t understand…
Maybe he’s 37 and just doesn’t understand
Lol
I want the Braves to make a move on Kela,Diekman, Wilmer Flores & Granderson for the stretch run. I don’t think any of those guys would break the bank prospect wise.
None of them should but we don’t need half of those guys lol
Diekman/Kela are nasty
Oh God… whaaa?
What would it cost to add Eovaldi?
Hamels, Beltre and Kela. One stop shopping for the Braves
Rangers have what the braves should go after for sure
The Braves could use Beltre and Kela, Hamels looks to be pretty average this year and is owed a lot of money.
Braves aren’t shopping at Goodwill. They’re more Microsoft store level.
The Braves are contending, have one of the best farm systems, and AA has finished his evaluations of his team, so I see them making those 3 moves in the next week. Teams that have talent like the Yanks, Cards, Brewers, and Dodgers could be in the mix.
The trade deadline is only a week away, so obviously anything that happens is going to be within the next week, barring an August trade waiver pickup. But thanks for the laugh.
Lol Brewers
I think the Braves definitely need at least another starter. Newcomb always seems to be just 1 pitch away from a computer disaster of a game
I’m on board with the Hamels, Beltre, Kela/Diekman moves. One stop shop and I think Hamels and Beltre remind everyone how good they can be down the stretch.
Hamels hasn’t been good all year, what makes you think Aug-Oct is going to be any better?
Have you seen his post season numbers? He’s all about October.
2016:
3.1 innings, 7 runs, 6 earned, 16.20 era.
He was ok in 2015, but at what point is it “to far back to matter”?
This isn’t the Cole of 2011 we’re talking about.
Although Hamels didn’t pitch well, those 6 earned runs were aided by some suspect D behind Hamels. Texas was too busy losing that series than the Jays were winning it.
Scorekeepers these days don’t like to score an error knowing a whiny, entitled player will complain in-order to help their precious stats.
Even still, he’s not the Cole Hamels that used to beat Atlanta. He’s not that good anymore. He doesn’t need to be brought to Atlanta unless the Rangers pay Atlanta to take him, for no one.
Eovaldi to the cubs, please. Right now the 4th starter is either Montgomery or Chatwood. This team has to move forward before the deadline with the thinking Darvish won’t pitch the rest of the season. Anything they get from him the rest of the year should be considered a bonus.
Honestly, I think the Cubs need to target multiple pitching options and Eovaldi should be in there.. I don’t trust that rotation come playoff time and if you’re a fan of analytics then it points to some major regression
In an ideal world, they don’t make the Quintana trade and move Cease + Eloy in a package for Degrom but what’s done is done
I’m finding it hard to put a value on Eovaldi. There are times he looks solid and then other times like he can’t find the strike zone. I wanted the Mets to take a flier on him in the off-season because the talent is there.
Someone should explain to AA the power of low expectations. I would be fine if the Braves made few, if any, moves this year, but if he keeps setting expectations like getting long-term controllable SP, RP, AND position player help, the “win now” wing of the fan base will tweet their disappointment to high heaven if he doesn’t pull it off.
I think the Braves need to look into getting Garrett and Hughes from the Reds. These two are controllable pieces that will help out the bullpen tremendously.
I’d trade for Hughes simply to watch him run out of the bullpen.
I wonder if NYM would be willing to trade Joey Bats and/or Mez just to get something back they can keep beyond this season. I’d take A ball pitchers for both of ‘em.
I’m sure they’ll try to move both.
The answer should be YES. Sell everyone who is on an expiring contract. The Mets are now playing for a top 3-5 draft pick.
The Brewers will never be a great defensive team not when you have ass crowns running the show and putting players in different positions on the field. Aguilar at 3rd. Braun at 1st 2 position players pitching?? Smh
Position players pitch all the time in blowouts. Cubs have done 2x in the past week.
Braun at 1st and Aguilar at 3rd really haven’t been that bad.
Proposal info and trade clevinger to Yankees for either a hicks or Clint frazier.
I’m sure Fred pocketed any $$ he got from the Reds, and the Mets will still insist on the acquiring team paying all or most of Mesoraco’s remaining contract. Although few teams have an extra 5 mm in even their contingent budget lying around at this point in the year. JB, who knows, at league minimum it’s likely doesn’t matter much who pays the rest.
More RP prospects with a ceiling of being a useful set up guy, and a reality well below the ceiling.
The Mets collecting fringe RP prospects is like when Isiah Thomas took over as the Knicks GM and tried to stack a team full of guards.. It’s a train wreck that keeps getting worse the longer you watch.
Happ will go to Seattle this week.