Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Which 15 Players Should The Braves Protect In An Expansion Draft?

By Tim Dierkes | May 27, 2020 at 7:00pm CDT

In a few weeks, we’ll be running a two-team mock expansion draft here at MLBTR – just for the fun of it!  Currently, we’re creating 15-player protected lists for each of the existing 30 teams.  You can catch up on the rules for player eligibility here.

The American League results are in!  Click here to see who’s protected and who’s available for each AL team.

So far, we’ve covered the Cardinals, Pirates, Brewers, Reds, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rangers, Mariners, Athletics, Angels, Astros, Twins, Royals, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles.  The Braves are up next.

First, we’ll start by removing free agents Marcell Ozuna, Cole Hamels, Nick Markakis, Mark Melancon, Shane Greene, Tyler Flowers, Adeiny Hechavarria, and Darren O’Day from consideration.  Freddie Freeman gets a spot on the protected list by virtue of the no-trade rights he’ll earn this year.  We’ll also add Cristian Pache and Kyle Wright as Baseball America Top 100 prospects with a 2020 ETA.  Here’s the initial list of nine protected players:

Freddie Freeman
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ozzie Albies
Max Fried
Mike Soroka
Mike Foltynewicz
Dansby Swanson
Kyle Wright
Cristian Pache

That leaves six spots for the remaining 19 players.  Be sure to read up on their contract statuses and team control here.

Johan Camargo
Travis d’Arnaud
Grant Dayton
Adam Duvall
Ender Inciarte
Alex Jackson
Luke Jackson
Chris Martin
A.J. Minter
Sean Newcomb
Austin Riley
Will Smith
Chad Sobotka
Touki Toussaint
Jeremy Walker
Jacob Webb
Bryse Wilson
Huascar Ynoa

With that, we turn it over to the MLBTR readership! In the poll below (direct link here), select exactly six players you think the Braves should protect in our upcoming mock expansion draft.  Click here to view the results.

Create your own user feedback survey

Share 0 Retweet 3 Send via email0

2020 Mock Expansion Draft Atlanta Braves MLBTR Originals

Latest On Furloughs, Pay Cuts Among MLB Clubs
Main
The Best Top 10 Pick Of 2012
View Comments (56)
Post a Comment

56 Comments

  1. Appalachian_Outlaw

    5 years ago

    Oof. This presents some brutal choices as a Braves fan. Wouldn’t want to lose a lot of these guys.

    1
    Reply
    • Braves4Ever2025

      5 years ago

      As a Braves fan, not too hard

      1. Riley
      2. Wilson
      3. Touki
      4. Newcomb
      5. Camargo
      6. Smith

      Reply
      • WouldSettleForWildcard

        5 years ago

        I’m a Braves fan, but I don’t get the widespread support for Camargo on this list. I’d swap him out for d’Arnaud. Camargo’s a great utility guy, maybe, but somebody’s gotta catch.

        2
        Reply
        • GareBear

          5 years ago

          This theoretical draft will take place after the theoretical 2020 season. Theoretically, we’d actually know if D can maintain his pace from the second half. But he’s also something of a bounce back option that they would have this year. I don’t see him as a long term need and they could always sign or trade for someone from another team with a expansion draft roster crunch. So D is a hard pass from my list…theoretically.

          Reply
        • brandons-3

          5 years ago

          d’Arnaud’s career production, contract, and injury history make him unlikely to be claimed.

          Camargo has proven he can be a productive starter. He would be a good bet to get snatched up.

          Reply
        • WouldSettleForWildcard

          5 years ago

          I totally missed the “AFTER” 2020 part. No need for d’Arnaud on the list. I’d still probably take a flyer on Jacob Webb or Sobotka instead of Camargo.

          Reply
        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          5 years ago

          I left Camargo exposed, too. I just don’t share the same level of enthusiasm for his game as a lot of Braves fans. I’d prefer to protect Chris Martin.

          Reply
        • WouldSettleForWildcard

          5 years ago

          Thank you! I thought I was all alone in this.

          Reply
      • Stevil

        5 years ago

        Would an expansion team want a high-priced closer who isn’t young, knowing they aren’t likely going to win many games? I would question whether or not Smith needs to be protected.

        Reply
        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          5 years ago

          On the field, an expansion team likely wouldn’t need high-priced relievers. I don’t know they wouldn’t draft them looking to deal them for prospects, though. I would certainly go that route if I were a GM of an expansion team.

          Reply
  2. Rangers29

    5 years ago

    I went with young guys, though there is one exception.

    Riley
    Camargo
    Ynoa
    Wilson
    Smith
    Toussaint

    All are young except for Smith, and despite his contract, he’s still a very good bullpen option for the Braves, and I think he’s worth it. All the rest are young, high potential guys. Brave’s fans, give me input, is this good or should I have included someone else?

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      i dont get the interest in Ynoa. he hasnt preformed at all good above rookie ball yet.

      3
      Reply
      • Rangers29

        5 years ago

        I don’t know the Braves that well besides their higher level guys, if I’m not choosing any relievers besides Smith (and not Inciarte, Duvall, or D’arnaud either). Going off of those guidelines, who should I choose instead of Ynoa? I’m seriously not sure who, so I’d like input.

        Reply
      • Appalachian_Outlaw

        5 years ago

        Yeah, given your parameters, I’d protect Weigel over Ynoa.

        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          5 years ago

          at least i was courteous enough to point out that he isnt eligible to be picked. for some reason no one else seems to care if the players are off.

          Reply
    • dvail1979

      5 years ago

      Sean Newcomb easily … Id also keep Camargo C Martin Riley W Smith B Wilson

      Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    stick a fork in Duvall

    Reply
  4. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    Tim Patrick Weigel doesnt have any MLB service time

    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      5 years ago

      My bad, thanks.

      Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    also id consider leaving Folty exposed. 1 year wonder.

    Reply
    • R.D.

      5 years ago

      Folty has raw stuff and the braves cant afford to lose 200 potential quality innings because he had a bad half season last year. Maybe if they weren’t in a contending window.

      Reply
      • echozulu88

        5 years ago

        Agreed. It’s not easy to replace those innings and you just lost Tehran who was your innings eater. Braves have solid young arms but you still need a guy to soak up innings.

        Reply
    • Vic-Takk-Poe

      5 years ago

      I kinda raised an eyebrow as well when I saw Folty was considered a lock and Riley wasn’t. It wasn’t that long ago that Folty was being considered as a non-tender candidate. I think his strong second half of the season more than likely assures him of a spot on a list like this, however. But I definitely consider Riley and perhaps Newk as way more of a lock than Folty.

      Reply
      • brandons-3

        5 years ago

        I don’t remember Folty ever being considered a non-tender candidate. Maybe I could see a random “just to post content on the website” listing him as a speculative long shot, but I don’t think Folty was ever going to be non-tendered.

        The Braves weren’t going to lose his potential while they were bad and he was great the first year they won the division. He had a bad half season last year and delivered both amazing and god awful postseason starts, but I don’t think he’s ever been considered a guy they’d cut.

        Btw, I do think Riley should be a lock as well.

        Reply
    • DTD_ATL

      5 years ago

      Easily more than a one yr wonder and his stuff is electric.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        5 years ago

        yet he hasnt put together two strong years yet. i would probably protect him anyway, but its clear so far that 2018 was an outlier. not to say it cant happen again, but just looking at the numbers they dont match his typical career numbers.

        Reply
  6. mlb1225

    5 years ago

    This felt like a protect 4 players survey. Newcomb and Riley should have been locks.

    1
    Reply
    • Thomas Bliss

      5 years ago

      Totally.

      Reply
  7. R.D.

    5 years ago

    I got
    Johan
    Touki
    Riley
    Weigel
    Will Smith
    Nukes

    I think Weigel/Bryce/Touki/Ynoa/maybe minter comes down to scouting who’s got the best potential. The others are easy choices to me but it would be rough to lose Duvall and Ender.

    Reply
    • Vic-Takk-Poe

      5 years ago

      Same as my list except I replaced Smith with Bryse. Reeeeally wanted to keep Smith, but figured he was signed at market value, so surplus value potential probably was not as strong with him as one of the young guns. But considering the Braves are looking to compete for a WS, I could easily see them holding onto more of a sure thing with Smith over one of the fringy young pitchers like Bryse, Weigel or perhaps even Touki.

      Reply
  8. Eatdust666

    5 years ago

    Camargo
    Minter
    Newcomb
    Riley
    Smith
    Toussaint

    Reply
    • king beas

      5 years ago

      Newcomb needs more respect he’s very good and has control I thought he’d be on the no doubter list

      1
      Reply
  9. citizen

    5 years ago

    How about protecting the entire Mets sqaud. Good on paper but flappable to win the Al east.

    Reply
  10. Sign all the Cubans

    5 years ago

    Braves fan be like, “WE GOTTA PROTECT THEM ALL”.

    Reply
    • DTD_ATL

      5 years ago

      Not at all and the comments show as much

      2
      Reply
    • 8ManLineupNoPitcherNoDH

      5 years ago

      Actually just you, apparently.

      2
      Reply
  11. brandons-3

    5 years ago

    I went:

    Camargo
    Riley
    Touki
    Smith
    Wilson
    Newcomb

    We’d probably be saying goodbye to Martin, Inciarte, and Minter.

    Reply
  12. bravesfan

    5 years ago

    I did Camargo, Smith, Riley, Wilson, Newcomb…. then I put Duvall … Duvall is the only one I’m questioning myself on… lot of others that I feel have some untapped potential

    Reply
    • brandons-3

      5 years ago

      Duvall is a good guy to have, but he’s so hot/cold. In the 1.5 years he’s been a Brave, they’ve been reluctant to give him the MLB at-bats needed for him to potentially get into a rhythm.

      I’m still a bit surprised the post-Ted Turner Braves kept his salary in Gwinnett all year when they could’ve cut him and escaped most of it after he didn’t perform in Spring Training last year.

      Reply
      • mlb1225

        5 years ago

        Eh, Duvall isn’t bad. He’s really good defensively, and can provide some pop off the bench. But I don’t know if I would protect a 4th outfielder over Touissaint, or Chris Martin. Especially Martin after you gave up Allard for him.

        Reply
        • brandons-3

          5 years ago

          He isn’t bad, but if you’re not going to play him he just becomes expense depth. He’d only have a year left of control anyways, so it doesn’t make a ton of sense to protect him over others.

          Reply
        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          5 years ago

          Agreed on Duvall, mlb1225. They haven’t given him many ABs as is, and those wouldn’t increase once Pache and Waters arrive. He’d also easily be replaced in this exercise, as his skillset usually comes cheaply in the FA market.

          1
          Reply
  13. king beas

    5 years ago

    Ian Anderson? He’s going to pitch in the bigs this year most likely. I think he’s better than wright he’s a must keep

    Reply
  14. John Kappel

    5 years ago

    I’m really confused about the love Touki is getting. Like year, good stuff in the minors but has not shown much success in the majors. I ended up protecting Ender, Riley, Newcomb, Camargo, Chris Martin, and Luke Jackson. All have shown success at the majors and have multiple years of control.

    Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      5 years ago

      I don’t think Ender would be selected. If he was though, that’d play in the Braves favor. They have Pache and Waters coming, and Pache and Acuna could both play CF. So they’d be covered, and they’d shed the money owed to Ender. His bat just doesn’t play as a PH or corner OF, and I’m not sure a defensive corner replacement is needed when you look at a Waters, Acuna and Pache OF.

      1
      Reply
      • John Kappel

        5 years ago

        I would agree but in this scenario, it’s after 2020. And currently we don’t even know how Pache or Waters will play over the full season at triple A much less the majors.

        Reply
        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          5 years ago

          Pache’s glove is ML ready now, though. His bat is really the only question mark. Even if you’d want to prepare in the event Pache and Waters aren’t ready to cut it at the dish in ’21, I still think Pache’s glove trumps Ender’s glove. You could place Pache in CF, Acuna in RF, and take the cash you save on Ender and re-sign or replace Marcell in LF.

          Reply
  15. echozulu88

    5 years ago

    They protected Acuna? Someone’s smoking something

    Reply
  16. Appalachian_Outlaw

    5 years ago

    I went Newk, Martin, Riley, Smith, Wilson and Weigel.

    Reply
  17. tommy-9

    5 years ago

    People that protected Carmago over Inciarte have me laughing my ass off

    Reply
    • SoCalBrave

      5 years ago

      Why? Camargo is more likely to be drafted than Inciarte. This isn’t a poll about who is better, it’s about who would be most likely to be drafted by an expansion team.
      An expansion team would draft Duvall before Inciarte, but with only 1 year left of control, Duvall is a safe bet to leave unprotected.

      Reply
  18. SoCalBrave

    5 years ago

    I’m pretty sure some people here don’t understand the concept of this endeavor.

    It is not a list of who do you think is better, or will contribute more in the next few years, it is about protecting those who would be most likely to be drafted by an expansion team.

    There’s no need to protect Will Smith or Ender Inciarte, or even d’Arnaud because an expansion team would not take on salaries through the draft. They would try to get as many cheap, controllable assets and spend their money on free agents.

    Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      5 years ago

      I wouldn’t completely rule out an expansion team taking on some salary, if they felt it was attached to a tradeable asset.

      Different sport, I realize; but Las Vegas took on a few contracts in the NHL. Things broke right for them, and they turned contenders.

      It depends on our GMs here at MLBTR philosphies.

      Reply
  19. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    Minter, Newk, Riley, Smith, Webb are the first 5 for me. last one is a wild card – Ender maybe?

    Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      5 years ago

      Why Minter over Martin, out of curiosity?

      Reply
  20. Selkies

    5 years ago

    This one was tough, but I went with..

    Austin Riley
    Sean Newcomb
    Will Smith
    Chris Martin
    Bryse Wilson
    Touki Touissaint

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    Nationals Sign Luis Garcia

    Cubs, Tigers Among Teams Interested In Ke’Bryan Hayes

    AL Central Notes: Thomas, Ragans, Lynch, Cobb

    Padres To Activate Yu Darvish On Monday

    Rhys Hoskins Suffers Grade 2 Thumb Sprain, Headed To IL

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Rays Sign Peter Strzelecki To Minor League Contract

    MLB Announces 2025 All-Star Rosters

    Pirates Re-Sign Yohan Ramírez, Release Peter Strzelecki

    Diamondbacks Place Pavin Smith On IL, Select Tristin English

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version