Atlanta Braves News: Morning Chop Winter Meetings Day 3

AJC

Q&A: Fredi on Braves’ offseason moves, future, etc.

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note:  On Tuesday night David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution spoke with the Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez and asked him the majority of the questions we’re all wanting to know the answers to.  The hot topic right now is obviously the Justin Upton/Evan Gattis trade rumors and if they are true or not.  Fredi mentioned once that all this media hype could be false but I think he’s just not wanting to show his cards.

"Q.  So if there were changes (Gattis moved to LF or traded) then as far as Bethancourt, you talked about him catching, do you think you’d be comfortable with him catching four or five games a week, being the primary guy?  You saw him do it for a month, right?“Yeah. Again in 30, 40 minutes, two days, a week, things change. But I feel comfortable he could catch a really good load of the games in the major leagues. He did it in September for the most part, and I thought he really caught well when Gattis went down just before the All‑Star break.  That two‑week period, I thought he was really impressive when he came up and did that.  So, yeah, I think he could do that.”"

Rant Sports

Atlanta Braves Rumors: Trading Evan Gattis Would Be Crazy

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note:  The folks at Rant Sports believe trading Gattis to another team (probably an American League team) would be crazy.  I think they are right in some manner.  Gattis is still controllable for four more seasons, he has great power and is now one of the Braves fan favorites.  Though he is an average catcher and below average outfielder, his bat continues to get better.  Rant Sports talks about how the Braves would be crazy to trade him away and instead restate their commitment to Gattis and meet with him.

"The biggest rumor on Gattis is the Texas Rangers will acquire him. Gattis is originally from the Dallas area, so it would be a case of a hometown hitter coming home. Gattis is also 28, so his late-bloomer status eventually will work against him in the future.Gattis had 21 home runs in 2013 and followed up with 22 homers last year. At a time when the Braves could use some offense, getting rid of Gattis would be odd."

Hard Ball Talk

The Giants have talked to the Braves about a trade for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note:  The Upton trade rumors have been floating around for weeks now but nothing has met the Braves wish list.  The Giants are hoping they have something in the gun to fire at John Hart for an Upton and Johnson trade.  From reports from Bob Nightengale, the Braves and Giants began talks yesterday and they will probably continue today.

"The Giants are trying to get creative with holes to fill in left field and third base, as Bob Nightengale ofUSA Today reports that they are in talks with the Braves about a trade for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson.There have only been preliminary talks thus far, but Nightengale hears that neither club is “overly optimistic” that a deal will ultimately be reached. Part of this is because the Braves have doubts about whether the Giants have the prospects to get it done."

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