Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos said yesterday that he’s interested in acquiring a middle-of-the-order bat, as David O’Brien of The Athletic reports (subscription link). That could be a third baseman or outfielder, per the club’s top baseball operations decisionmaker.
The top preference for the Atlanta organization would surely still be a new deal with third baseman Josh Donaldson. But the Braves may decide not to keep pace with bidding that seems to be going to four years.
It always seemed quite possible, probable even, that Donaldson would move on to another team after making good on the one-year deal he signed last winter. What’s most interesting about the latest update is the fact that the team is not limiting itself to finding impact at the hot corner.
“Ideally,” says Anthopolous, the desired offensive output would come from a player that suits up at third. But it “can come in the form of an outfielder, as well,” he said. The primary goal is to get a big bat to replace the outgoing production that Donaldson delivered. “I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to accomplish that, but I’d like to add a middle-of-the-order bat if we can,” says Anthopoulos.
In terms of open-market corner outfield possibilities, there are quite a few younger players, though none to Donaldson’s standard. Where one draws the line in deeming a player a “middle of the order bat” is obviously a subjective matter. The Braves could go after Nicholas Castellanos, Marcell Ozuna, Yasiel Puig, or Avisail Garcia. Or, the club might consider lefty swinging veterans Corey Dickerson and Kole Calhoun. Two conceivable options — Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe — were already traded for one another. There are some other possible candidates that may be available via trade, though the remaining market has yet to gain much clarity.
What of Johan Camargo and Austin Riley? We’ve often heard indications of confidence in that pair of younger players. But that doesn’t seem to be the vibe around the organization. “[P]rivately it’s not believed [the Braves] consider either a good or perhaps even acceptable option” for the hot corner in 2020, O’Brien writes.
That adds to the intrigue surrounding the possibility of the team landing a corner outfield bat. Perhaps the club would then also need to pick up another option at the hot corner. Having already re-signed Nick Markakis to go with young star Ronald Acuna Jr., adding another outfielder would also likely increase the possibility of a trade involving Ender Inciarte. The Braves are also said to be interested in adding a glove-first, shortstop-capable utility piece, meaning the team is still shopping for at least two and possibly three position players.
Giancarlo Stanton and money for Kyle Wright.
More like Stanton+money for a player not even on the Braves top 30.
To get Wright the Yankees would have to pay 100% of Stanton or also include prospects.
Yanks gotta eat a whole lotta that contract
Bet Stanton would go for it and waive his NTC
Stanton is easily worth north of $20MM/year. Yanks would be better off keeping him. He could easily have another MVP season in him once he’s settled into NYC.
The chances he plays a full season is pretty slim, Yanks are stuck with that albatross
Swanson, Inciarte, Bryse Wilson and one more prospect not in there top 10
for Lindor
I got lambasted last week for suggesting almost the same thing. I admittedly suck at trade proposals…
Anyone that thinks Atlanta will trade cheap young prospects for a player that will be getting 200+ million in a couple of years are bad at trade proposals.
Swanson isn’t bad but he’s literally just the replacement for Lindor. Inciarte has next to 0 value for a team where the bottom line is priority, and Wilson is their 6th ranked prospect.
That literally doesn’t even get the phone answered.
That replied to the wrong comment. Should be on the one below it. The app, my IPhone and 12:30 at night as not allowing good comments…
yeah, as a Braves fan, that would be awesome… but that package ain’t doin crap to get Lindor.
Add in another 1-2 top 10 prospects to start the conversation.
What he listed started it, the top end of your demand gets the phone hung up. I will say, he clearly isn’t offering enough though.
Pache, Anderson, Jackson, and Ender for Lindor
Cleveland would probably want Swanson too if they’re taking the Ender contract
imyrick… I can promise you the Braves don’t want Lindor that bad to make such a foolish trade. Not that Lindor isn’t worth it, but Anderson and Pache have too much near term value to the Braves than 1-2 years of control for Lindor is worth. Again. This is unique to the Braves situation. Best hitter, best pitcher in the farm… then fill them a controllable gold glove outfielder… not to mention what will likely be a serviceable career backup catcher to put icing on the cake. Idk. It seems like to much for the Braves
Lindor only has 2 years of control, so he isn’t worth both Pache and Anderson. If that’s the ask, keep him, and wait for your comp pick.
I think, realistically, it would take Waters or Riley. I’d also imagine Danaby is part of the swap too. Jackson makes sense, and maybe a SP such as Muller.
Pache and Anderson will not be included together in any trade this year maybe one of the two and Wright
They aren’t getting Lindor or Bryant without giving up multiple prospects with serious upside. These are MVP caliber players in their prime with two years of control. These are the guys that win The Braves a World Series.
Your last sentence is incorrect. They may help them win a WS though.
Wow Haniger has been in every trade conversation about a bat or an OFer but not this one? He bats 2nd in Seattle but easily could be a 3 or 5. Not a 4 unless he hiss liner he did 2 years ago. Can play multiple positions in the OF. What would you give up for him forget about last years output he started slow but was beginning to get going when he got hurt. He is closer to two years ago maybe better.
Paul Janish available as a utility? (being facetious here) The Cubs have everything we need, go get ’em.
Myers?
At that point they might as well just sign Donaldson. Myers is owed 3/67.5 (22.5 AAV on the remaining) and Donaldson will get like the same AAV on a 4 year deal, but the big difference is Donaldson is actually worth the money.
I get that to trade Myers SD is going to eat like most of that salary and give prospect(s), but the point remains that Myers isn’t really good enough to be your middle of the order bat so why do that if you’re ATL and competing. He doesn’t solve the underlying need.
“Donaldson is actually worth the money.”
Depends on what you’re talking about. 3/$75MM? Ok. 4 years? No.
Yeah, its debatable at 4 years. But he’s certainly more valuable than Myers at any point.
I feel like on a 3 year deal the AAV is going to be higher, like maybe 27.5 and on a 4 it’s maybe a few mil a year less so it will lessen the blow, but yeah if he’s not worth it that last year it’s still going to sting.
You also forget the padres are willing to eat half and attach a prospect. Put myers in the right line up and he is good
I think it’s cute you believe that.
Myers is a bad contract swap, and the Braves don’t have any.
I don’t see how the Braves couldn’t package something for Bryant and get Ozuna as well. You put Bryant and Ozuna in the order and you more than cover for Donaldson. You lose some prospects, but get two years (hopefully) of Bryant, even if signing him longer term is beyond reach two years from now.
Four years of Jason Heyward and two of Bryant, get Cubs to eat some of the Heyward money? What would this look like in terms of what we give?
@Braveslifer
The Braves would not have to give anything up if they take on Heyward too. The Cubs wouldn’t do that though. They need to replenish their farm more then cut salary like that.
Yeah, I suck at these proposals….
I’d just as easily do without Heyward, despite the feel good story. Only way would be if they eat the whole contract. It was an extreme overpay by the Cubs at the time. Other than last year, it’s essentially been a disaster for Heyward.
Max Fried, Austin Riley plus one prospect would make it happen. Cubs want to dump salary.
To that point it would cost 18 for Bryant and 21 for heyward..might as well go after rendon be cheaper..at this point cubs want salary relief as much as prospects..Bryant and chatwood makes lil more sense..chatwood is owed 13 on his last year of contract,and was decent 3.76 era as long relief,maybe braves kick in a low to mid level prospect,but all that said Bryant perfect fit can play 3rd and outfield and is a middle order bat
Braves need to trade from a position of strength. MLB ready starting pitching is not their strength. No way Fried goes anywhere.
I’m sure it would. But there is zero chance the Braves would give that up for 1-2 years of Bryant. Braves would also need another SP if they traded Fried. So you create a large hole to fill a hole. Makes no sense.
are we trading for Bryant and Baez? Fried has more value than Bryant alone.
We can’t be trading our second best pitcher of last season and hard no to a reunion with Heyward. Just like we shouldn’t have let susuki slip away in attaining a feel good story in McCann. Might as well being back El oso blanco while we’re at it.
We should keep Riley, he can play 3rd, 1st, Rf, Lf. Sure he fell off from where he started, which was awesome for a rookie. Give him a chance to mature, he’s not the only one who has had problems with low outside Sliders .
Hey, don’t feel bad… most of the people on these boards suck at it, too.
Thats true about Bryant being a perfect fit for Atlanta but then again Bryant is a perfect fit for a lot of teams. The NY Mets come to mind as one. Nats come to mind too if they don’t resign Rendon and I don’t see that happening
Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson, and Inciarte and Cubs pay $20 mil of Hayward?
deal
Your kidding, right?
Absolute No.
Maybe Inciarte for Heyward and the Cubs pay 20 mil.
way to much dont need hayward back anyways.
They would just keep Inciarte.
Braves get Bryant, Heyward plus ten million per year paid by Cubs, and Contreras for Camargo, Inciarte and Flowers
AA would get put in padded room for offering that. As should you.
No one wants Heyward. No one. His contract has such much negative value that the Cubs might have to pay 80% of the freight to move it, in which case might they not be better off just keeping him?
Bryant is going to be costly if the Braves, Phillies, and Nats are all involved. At that point, you aren’t just getting back a 5 WAR player for two years, you’re also keeping him from a division rival.
Waters, Pache, Riley, Wright, and Ian Anderson. Pick 3.
Go away
Just inept describes you perfectly.
@justinept
The Braves value their top 3 prospects too much for one of them to go for Bryant.
Pache and Wright for Bryant and Schwarber maybe
Yeah, sure. We value a 4-5 WAR player who we know will post a .900 OPS, a 130 OPS+, hit 25 HR and produce a ton of runs less than we value any of our top 3 prospects. Good one.
Scratch Anderson, and pick one. Don’t want either that badly.
-signed Braves fans.
I could see them looking to get Mancini from the O’s.
That makes so much sense, I wish I could up vote it twice.
Bryant and Happ for Wright and Camargo
Rtr, that is actually a good and reasonable proposal for both teams.
Thats a laughable return for the Cubs. Camargo was almost a full -1WAR this year. Wright is mediocre. KB is one of best players in MLB. #3 in WAR since he came in league. Happ is young plays LF,CF,RF,2B,3B, and 1B. Hits for power and gets on base for a decent clip. Never posted a below 100 ops+. 126 this year. You’re an idiot if you think thats a fair deal
There is no chance Chicago does that trade. Zip. Nada, Zero. You are talking about a 4 -5 WAR player who spent last year hitting 2nd on a team with a .291 OBP out of the lead off spot. He’s going to hit 25+ HR, is consistently a run producer and run scorer and is guaranteed to put up a 900+ OPS and a OPS+ of at least 130. He’s also been there and done that when it comes to winning in the post-season. You are talking about one of the premier offensive players in the game who can also play 4 different positions competently And on top of this you want the Cubs to give up a cost controlled player who can play 2B and CF. In return you send Chicago a pitching prospect (albeit a good one) and a box of rocks who posted a negative WAR last season? No chance Chicago takes that deal.
So Cubs’ best player (and highest cumulative WAR of all 3Bs since his callup in 2015) and their best young player/prospect (still think of Happ as a prospect) for the Braves #4 prospect who didn’t fair that well at AAA and a throw-in bench player in Camargo? Braves fans need to chill with these ludicrous proposals. Bryant will command at least 2 of the Braves top 5 prospects, starting with Pache and/or Waters.
Your ask is too high. We’re talking two years of Bryant, possibly one.
Marcell Ozuna.
Looking at Cot’s, it’s interesting to see that the Braves have literally 0 bad contracts.
Yep.
Melancon?
Melancon’s isn’t a bad contract. A little rich, but not bad. If it was 4/54, that would be bad.
get the shortstop u had when swanson was hurt
Nothing new to see here move along haha.
Seriously though this has been a priority since the Braves season ended.
They HAVE to get a bat to hit behind Freeman. Is that Donaldson, Bryant, someone else?
Best option is to pick up a right handed outfielder through free agency or trade since he will cost considerably less than Donaldson. Then put Riley and Camargo at 3B. I know they aren’t happy with either but what can you do? I’m betting Riley figures out how to hit sliders— at least enough to remain in the line up.
How can they possibly afford Donaldson not only because of the length of the contract but it will also put them way over $150 million unless they can trade several players. That will also make it difficult to make trade deadline deals if their payroll is too high. But who knows maybe they have way more money available than we all think.
Hello?? They had a Defensive Utility player in Charlie Culberson. Stupid move to let him go. Which ever team that signs him will be lucky to have such a gifted player
They could still re-sign Charlie.
Garcia or Dickerson, but they are more like a rays or angels type, cheap pick up.
Please no Garcia.
Yeah, dont need him snooping around the wives of players here. Hard pass.
Neither is a middle of the order bat
inciarte Camargo plus lower prospect for Bryant. sign Ozuna and Hech or trade for Marte and Frazier then done
They won’t take bench or questionable players for Bryant.
Can’t imagine the Cubs letting KB go for inciarte and camargo.
There is zero chance the Cubs accept that trade. Less than zero, in fact.
Orioles are moving everyone out. May as well take Mancini
Stanton for 2nd tier specs
Yankees traded a bad contract (Castro) for Stanton, and the Marlins still had to eat some money. And Red Sox fans claimed Jeter gave the NYY a sweetheart deal in some conspiracy theory. Now they’re claiming the opposite. Chuckle.
I don’t think Stanton’s value is far off from the contract they have left, but I think they’d do better gambling on a resurgence. Unless there’s something really wrong with his body, he’s going to be a solid hitter for years. They’d be better off keeping him than trading him and having to eat some of his contract.
You’d have to be the biggest homer in the world to think Giancarlo Stanton is worth 180 million dollars through his age 38 season. He couldn’t stay healthy in his prime. He’s now on the wrong side of 30. That deal is garbage.
The only way the Yankees were ever going to make out on that deal was if he posted big numbers in the beginning. He’s done anything but that.
Haniger?
Let me ask this, could we put together a deal for Bryant using two buckets? One bucket includes an agreed “PTBNL” if he has two years of control and a different bucket for “PTBNL” if he only has one year of control?
Yes. I suspect teams are doing this already. Trying to get the jump.
I really wonder what Inciarte’s trade value is at this point. Seems like he could be a good “buy low” opportunity for someone.
Seems like the type of guy SD would try to acquire so that they could say they fixed their OF but if he’s not the old version of himself then it could end up being that he plays like a LH Manuel Margot and one that costs like 4x as much…
I think he has a low trade value and represents a way for the Braves to dump salary in a trade for someone like Bryant. They may have to give up a bit more in prospects for someone taking him on, but it also leaves Atlanta still well positioned to go and sign more pitching. So you take on Bryant, send the Cubs Inciarte as part of the deal with several prospects. Now you are getting Bryant at more like $10M next year and you can redeploy the $8<+ for Inciarte back into the marketplace.
Upton if he’ll waive his NTC.
No thanks, been there, done that. He’s a low effort, high strikeout, good for 2 months of the season player, not what a contender needs.
Upton? Not in a million years, there’s as good of chance as his brother coming back. If Justin was younger and could stay healthy, had passion, and played up to his capability like acuna, they would have been fun to watch in the same lineup though.
Why do you think I want to trade him? Lol
Once upon a time, AA tapped into the A’s for a 3B on the verge of superstardom who Oakland wouldn’t be able to pay. I wonder what it would take to get them interested in parting with Chapman? If we’re talking about paying big prospect capital for 2 years of a stud, Chapman seems to fit our team better than Bryant imo.
The difference is, Chapman has already reached stardom and it’s unlikely they’d trade him for anything less than our 3 top prospects.
Bryant seems to want out of Chicago, so I imagine he costs considerably less in prospect capital.
It’s not his call.
Of course, just mean I can’t see the Braves parting with what would be way more in prospect capital for Chapman.
Bryant is still going to cost a lot in terms of prospect capital. Chapman is almost untradeable since he makes nothing right now. He doesn’t even reach arbitration until 2021. They literally have no reason to trade him.
It would take a lot. I don’t know what Atlanta has in the pipeline but it would take a lot. Maybe even Albies, a team-friendly contract with lots of years. Chapman’s that good.
Albies is basically playing for free. He and Acuna may go down as the two most team friendly contracts is sports history. Certainly Acuna will.
You have to keep that Albies contract forever if you’re AA. An absolute steal
Chapman is amazing and I’d give up a ton of prospect capital for him, but Albies and Acuna are completely untouchable as two of the best contracts in pro sports. I think 3 of Anderson, Riley, Pache and wright would do the trick, with a lower level guy or two to round it out – or still not quite enough?
You are asking Oakland to give up a 7 WAR player for prospects. They’d literally LOSE money on the deal. He is all but untouchable.
Chapman’s controlled through 2024 – 4 years. Assuming Bryant has 2 years of control left (still up in the air), Chapman will likely cost twice as much or more in prospect capital.
Good call, not sure why I thought it was only 2 years left. All the more reason he’d be more expensive, but more valuable and better able to justify the haul we’d have to give up for him.
I would be more inclined to package prospects for Chapman. I thought about this as well. I think he has about 3+ years of control, great D, would hit about 50 HRs in ATL. Pache, Wright, +Wilson
Cubs in major trade talk with the Braves…….Cubs send Bryant,- Contreras – Heyward…….in return for Prospects and more Prospects.
Cubs won’t want to water down the return of a Bryant or Contreras deal with Heyward’s contract. If strictly talking prospects in return for Bryant and Contreras, imagine trading at least 3 of the Braves top 5 prospects: Pache, Waters, Anderson, Wright and Langeliers.
Agreed and cubs be smarter trading to separate team would get more in return
For Bryant and Contreras it would cost a ton of prospects even with heyward
If not Donaldson, then trade for Bryant or Marte. They shouldn’t go below those talent levels. The Braves need good players, not just passable players.
My wish target for Atlanta is Brian Anderson (maybe a large package deal with Caleb Smith too). But I really don’t expect that dream to happen.
I’m VERY leary of Donaldson at 3 and especially 4 years. I’m of the opinion I would rather pony up and pay Rendon for 7 than Donaldson for 3 or 4.
For some reason I love Brian Anderson for alot of reasons. He can play infield and outfield. He pretty quick. Always hustles. However I would still like to know what Anderson said to Eric Young after the Acuna-urine sorry Urena debacle that got EY so pissed off that he shoved Anderson. Got a game suspension. I believe it was that game.
Cubs/Bryant and Braves/Inciarte and prospects are a match made in heaven
Probably waiting for the Chris Bryant grievance to be resolved and then pull the trigger on the trade.
Is 14 Hrs and .870 OPS on the road by a 3B with a solid glove good enough for Atlanta to entertain if it means dealing Inciarte to get him? $44-mil left over 3 years too rich for the Braves? How about the team with said 3B kicks in $2-mil in 2021 and $3-mil in 2022 to make it $39-mil over 3? Would that be enough?
Evan Longoria.
The Longo alternative checks several boxes for the Braves. He’s right-handed. He hits for 20+ bombs a year. He still plays good D. He’d only be for three years rather than Donaldson’s likely 4 years. He’d command a far lower salary slot than Donaldson. And a deal with Zaidi wouldn’t require the Braves to send away a lot in return, leaving them free to chase other needs.
Oh geez not Longoria.
So this is steelerbravenation’s “source”
You need to stop giving him ideas
Longoria is beyond washed up. The Braves are actually trying to win.
Longo would be a bench player on the Braves so he’d have to be coming in for free.
Another typo in another article. They misquoted him when he said, “We are looking to bring Bumgarner to Atlanta or else we finish in 3rd place at best next season.”
That is a doozie of a typo. Long to.
Donaldson should certainly be their priority right now. They need a right handed bat to split up all of those lefties. If they fail to re-sign Donaldson I think Ozuna or Puig make the most sense with Todd Frazier being a viable plan C.
Question. Could Whit Merrifield hold down 3rd? If the Braves signed Ozuna & traded Drew Waters, Kyle Wright, Bryce Wilson, Ender Inciarte to Royals for Merrifield & Duffy
Seager and Haniger package deal? Seagers offense rebounded last year, he has a poison pill in his contract. But could also easily pay to the level of that contract. Worth kicking the tires on for sure.
Seager’s making something like $57M over the next three years. No thanks.
You don’t think Seattle would be willing to throw cash into the deal? Seager is a good bet to be a 3+war player each of those years. What if Seattle threw in 20m so that everyone could win the deal?
It’s not a terrible idea I suppose. It’s just what would you have going back to the Mariners? With that trade clause bit which will immediately activate, that would drop about half the value of Haniger. Haniger is good but he couldn’t get a free agent contract for over a $100 million if he was one right now. Maybe 60-80. So what does seagers numbers do then?
Nm, changed my mind. Keep em.
Dipto is an idiot who will hold onto his assets way too long. He is going to ask way too much and end up getting nothing. I like those guys as a one stop shop, but unfortunately we can’t deal with Seattle because Dipto won’t come down on his asking price. Much like coppy with JT, those guys will just ride out their prime years on a losing team.
Charlie Blackmon. Georgia Tech guy. Probably available for a couple B prospects since his contract is big (but not as big as Castellanos is about to sign) and Rox are out of money and have his replacement ready. Still a great pure hitter.
Frazier and Andujar from the Yankees for a couple of whoever they want of Newcomb, Riley, Inciarte, Duvall, Camargo, Wright, Muller, Langaliers, Wilson, Shewmake and Toussaint. Young and cheap and both on the outs after previous good seasons.
Oh look another Yankees fan who values his mediocre players so highly. What a joke bro. Not even funny Haha. Peddle those players to someone else.
LOL… shhh.. please go be dumb elsewhere.
Treat Mancini is available. Just throw us a couple of those arms you got stockpiled.
Mookie Betts to Atlanta for (3) prospects, one of which is in their top 5 prospects. Solves 100% of Atlanta’s problems and doesn’t tie them down with a long term, large AAV contract.
great, you solved something for ONE year. what a brilliant GM you are.
Maybe, and i am just speculating, maybe AA only wants a one-year solution. You might not have heard of him, but there is this kid called Pache in the Braves’ system.
If you really want a RH, middle of the order bat that plays CF, Betts is the guy.
Trade for Sanos 3base of the twins, power, decent fielder and won’t break the bank. Twins want pitching.
Not a big fan of the guy but cheapest 3b option with power.
Why do the teams with the best prospects’ fans always make the most ridiculous trade proposals? A lot of you all seriously overrate your prospects and undervalue true stars. I don’t understand why people are so reluctant to part with 2 top prospects for a proven commodity like Kris Bryant or Francisco Lindor? To get value you have to trade value
I’ve religiously said for Lindor the price would be Swanson, a top positional prospect, a top pitching prospect, and a catching prospect. I’d gladly hand over Swanson, Pache, Wright, and Contreras for two years of Lindor.
I’m a Project Manager for a consulting firm, not a GM for a professional baseball team. I’m sure that is everyone else’s reason…
That cuts both ways. There are SD fans in here that think they should give up almost nothing for a guy like Betts. That’s the worst possible strategy.
IMVHO, for mid- and small-market teams, you go through the process of tearing down and re-building. But when you get to that point where you expect to play .500, that’s when you reach for the over-the-top move.
The San Diego fans are the worst when it comes to this
I don’t know. Mets fans seem to think Dom Smith brings back practically anybody
I’d prefer that they pay Donaldson, but if that doesn’t happen, call Jeter and strike a deal for Brian Anderson. I’d send Toussaint and B Wilson for starters.
Braves will get Bryant once the whole grievance is finally heard.
Pache is not going anywhere so y’all keyboard GMs might as well not even mention him in your trade proposals. Waters will be the one included if either one is.
Trade Inciarte and Folty and a couple of lower prospects for Bryant, Heyward, and Kimbrel. Heyward is owed about 86 million for 4 yrs., try and get Cubs to eat some of that money. Maybe send Newk to Chicago