Where Does The Atlanta Braves Stand After The Nelson Cruz Signing?
By Jeff Schafer
By now, most of you know about the Nelson Cruz signing of $57 million for 4 years with the Seattle Mariners…as Alan wrote about this earlier today. But those same Mariners were suppose to be an integral part of a trade with the Atlanta Braves involving either Justin Upton or Evan Gattis…or BOTH!
Now what do they do?!?
Well, a trade with the Mariners had seemed like it cooled off within the last week or so and it seems as though Seattle had no interest in waiting around until John Hart‘s asking price dropped.
Seattle got their right handed power bat that they’ve been wanting. The three time All-Star outfielder seems to be the perfect fit in Safeco Field. The 34-year-old hit 40 home runs in 2014 and 175 homers in the last six years!!
Safeco Field is known for depressing offensive power numbers in the left field part of the ballpark but a positive about Cruz is that he hits homers to all sides of the field…and how far he can hit a baseball is ridiculous.
So Seattle has their guy…right??
Jon Morosi of Fox Sports and MLB Network believes that Seattle may not be done with their shopping just yet.
He suggests that Seattle will most likely use Cruz in the DH spot, where he excelled for the Baltimore Orioles in 2014, instead of an outfield position.
Ideally, Nelson Cruz is the primary DH. Austin Jackson is everyday CF. None of Seattle corner OFs have played well enough to be locks.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2014
Leaving the door open for the Braves to come back into the mix…Seattle isn’t to happy with the performances from Dustin Ackley or Michael Saunders and could still be interested in trading for Upton or Gattis.
Mariners still *need* another outfield bat, but I am told it is questionable whether they will spend prospects/money to upgrade further.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2014
Could the signing of Nelson Cruz be a good thing for the Braves instead of a bad thing? Possibly so as now the team has more depth and more willing to go after that World Series ring this season.
Something else to think on…
Another team looking for success in 2015 might be the San Diego Padres as Buster Olney reported this evening that they are being aggressive with looking for hitters so they can be competitive. It will be tough to compete in a division with the LA Dodgers, San Francisco Giants Colorado Rockies and improving Arizona Diamonbacks.
Padres said to be aggressively looking for hitters who can help them contend for NL West title immediately.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 1, 2014
The Padres could be calling Hart and the Braves to see what the asking prices are of both Gattis and Upton. Then we will see how aggressive they actually are. The teams on Justin Upton’s no-trade list are the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
A few prospect names to keep an eye on for the Braves if they do start getting in a mix with the Padres…
Matthew Wisler RHP #2 Padres prospect and #61 on MLB top prospect list.
Max Fried LHP #3 Padres prospect and #68 on MLB top prospect list
Hunter Renfroe OF #4 Padres prospect and #71 on MLB top prospect list
Dustin Peterson 3B #12 Padres prospect…2nd round pick (50) in 2013
Where do the Braves stand after the Nelson Cruz signing?
In a good position with the Mariners because I feel as though Seattle isn’t done and wants to win now. Upton has one year on his deal, the Mariners want to win in 2015. And in a fine position with the Padres because they may make some ridiculous trade just to compete and try to get their fan base back into the seats.