Can Atlanta Braves Overhaul and Still Compete in 2015?
By Ryan Cothran
From the early going, it sounds like the Atlanta Braves are in for an…
…ummmmm, interesting offseason. John Hart has mentioned that the Braves are not actively shopping anyone, but will listen on Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis, and, of course, B.J. Upton. I’m sure that Chris Johnson‘s name will also be leaked out as a player the Braves will listen on, so my question is this:
Could the Atlanta Braves trade their entire OF and Evan Gattis and still compete in 2015?
Here’s what we’ve heard thus far in trade talks via internet or where all tasty sports rumors go to get devoured: Twitter.
1. With no extension talks on the horizon, Jason Heyward could be traded (via DOB)
2. The Braves want to get out from under B.J. Upton’s contract, and could possibly package a player of value, such as Evan Gattis, to do so. If they cannot trade B.J., new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer will spend mucho time working with him directly. (via DOB).
3. The Braves would like to add a left-handed hitter to compliment Chris Johnson at 3rd base. (via DOB).
4. Hart debunked rumor of “Braves shopping Evan Gattis hard”. (via DOB).
5. The Braves are pitching B.J. Upton to other clubs (via Buster Olney). **Ryan laughs and cries hysterically**
6. The Braves asking price for young players is extremely high (via Buster Olney). **Ryan stands and applauds!**
7. Braves strategy could be to package Gattis and B.J., and most of roster is in play for trades (via Ken Rosenthal)
8. Heyward, Justin Upton, and Gattis are a market scarcity and Hart knows it! Also, Red Sox and Cubs LOVE Heyward (via Peter Gammons).
9. Braves shopping Gattis hard (debunked later by Hart, however both Joel Sherman and Ken Rosenthal reported it).
10. Braves likely to trade for a young starting pitcher in the next few weeks (via DOB).
Ok, drink some coffee, relax in front of the fire, and digest the above 10 nuggets in their entirety. Take your time…the article will still be here.
Ready? Let’s go!
What would return be if the Atlanta Braves trade their entire OF and starting Catcher?
Make no mistake, no matter the return, the fan base is going to be royally ticked off if the Braves trade 2 of their most beloved in Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward. However, one thing remains true: it’s going to cost a whole heck of a lot.
1. Trading Jason Heyward- A defensive force, and an offensive breakout candidate every year, Heyward’s value is peaking as defense has never been measured so highly. Trade value? He’ll likely cost one of the following packages:
A. 2-3 Top 10 prospects
B. 1 elite prospect
C. Front-line starting pitcher under control for 1 year,
D. A #2-3 starter under control for 2-3 years.
2. Trading B.J. Upton- The black hole in the center of the abysmal 2014 season. Trade Value? He’ll likely cost the Braves a cost-controlled player or a few prospects.
3. Trading Evan Gattis- The Paul Bunyan-esque catcher who, apparently, no one thinks can catch. Trade Value? With 4 years of control, the promise of his bat in a lineup should bring back one of the following packages:
A. A mid-rotation starter under control for a 3+ years
B. A 2-3 WAR outfielder under control for 3+ years,
C. 1 elite prospect
D. 2-3 Top-10 prospects.
4. Trading Justin Upton- The power hitting LF that many teams covet, Justin had a great 2014 but his streaky tendencies really showed up in the Braves’ September collapse. Trade value? Very much the same as Heyward’s (see above).
Where would that leave the 2015 Atlanta Braves if all were traded?
If Justin and Heyward are traded in separate packages, it’s likely that one would be traded for prospects and one would be traded for a front-line starting pitcher. If Gattis is traded, he’ll likely go for either a corner, cost-controlled OF, or prospects. If B.J. is traded, he’ll likely cost the Braves a ton of money, a few prospects, or a few Major League ready players. The entire haul for all 4? Just for good measure, we’ll use real names:
1. Justin Upton and Tommy La Stella for Jeff Samardzija (puts approx. 7MM back into budget)
2. Jason Heyward for Edwin Diaz and D.J. Peterson (puts 8MM back into budget)
3. Evan Gattis for Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson (costs Braves about 7MM)
4. B.J. Upton, Jordan Walden, and Joey Terdoslavich for Ubaldo Jimenez (puts about 4MM back into budget)
After it’s all said and done, the Braves have solidified the starting rotation, have found a CF, subtracted 8MM from the payroll, and have put 2 nice prospects back into the pot, of which are very close to being Major League ready. Jose Peraza is inserted into 2nd base, Kyle Kubitza breaks the squad as CJ’s 3b counterpart, and the Braves now have the money to go out and sign players like Alex Rios and Yasmany Tomas to contracts. I dream…a lot.