Atlanta Braves Morning-ish Chop/Saturday
MLB RUMORS: Atlanta Braves Looking to Trade Outfielders?
Perhaps When They Find a General Manager
…. Although the Braves don’t currently have anyone to sign off on such transactions, there is speculation the team is looking to trade one or more of their outfielders.
… David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes once a new GM is hired, the team will focus on shaking up the outfield.
But the situation is complicated because the player they likely want to rid themselves of is B.J. Upton, but he’s still owed nearly $50 million through 2017. He’ll be nearly impossible to trade after posting a .198 batting average with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs over the past two seasons with Atlanta. As for Justin Upton, the club might not be inclined to move him because he has only one year and $14.5 million remaining on his contract, so they probably wouldn’t get much value in return if they’re trading a rental player. Plus, Upton has significantly contributed to the team over the past two years and they might be interested in re-signing him. It would be much easier to move Heyward, who has one year and $7.8 million left on his contract, but he’s disappointed over the past two seasons as well (.263 average with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs). They may opt to cut their losses with him.
The team would at least look to free up one outfield spot to make room for Evan Gattis who would move from catcher to left field for injury-related and defensive reasons. The Braves would then promote catcher Christian Bethancourt to become the full-time starter. The 22-year-old batted .283/.308/.408 with Triple-A Gwinnett this past season and manager Fredi Gonzalez is confident in his abilities. The Braves are probably ready for him, since they signed him as a 16-year-old in 2008.
“Christian’s development is basically done,” Gonzales told Baseball America, in their latest issue. “Defensively, he’s ready to go. He’s making adjustments offensively, just like everybody else. But the things he can do behind the plate, he’s ready to make an impact at this level.”
Tribe’s Wolters guides Peoria back from rocky start
Converted catcher leads way behind plate for bullpen’s 8-2/3 shutout innings.
Entering Friday, the
midway point in the Arizona Fall League season, Peoria was in last place with a 3-10-2 record. The Javelinas had lost four straight games, scoring just four runs during the skid.
Peoria quickly fell behind Mesa on Friday afternoon, as starter Dylan Baker was knocked out of the game after recording one out and giving up four runs. But the Javelinas were undeterred and scored nine unanswered runs to defeat the Solar Sox, 9-4.
“We have a lot of winners on this team and it’s hard on us, but we’re getting through it,” Wolters said after Peoria’s first victory since Saturday. “It’s tough losing, but that’s baseball though. It’s making us better players.”
Wolters, the Indians’ No. 18 prospect, helped guide five relievers through 8 2/3 scoreless innings after Baker’s early exit.
BRAVES CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Edward Salcedo (RF) – 1/4 (1 run, 1 RBI), .226
- Daniel Castro (2B) – 1/4, 2 RBI, .250
- Peoria is now 4-10-2, and faces Astros’ top pitching prospect Mark Appel this afternoon.
Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Saturday, October 25, 2014