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Rosenthal: Atlanta Braves ‘Quite Open’ to Trading Teheran

By Alan Carpenter

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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EIGHT DAYS until the non-waiver trade deadline, and Ken Rosenthal is starting to hear some juicier trade tidbits – and this one is interesting, though comes with conflicting info.

"“Two rival executives said Wednesday that the Braves are open to trading right-hander Julio Teheran — “quite open,” was how one put it.”"

He went on to say that a source “with knowledge of the Braves’ thinking” (whatever that means) said that “the team is not even considering such a move” given Teheran’s contract and age.

Did y’all realize that Teheran is still just 24-1/2 years old?

Rosenthal continued to articulate things we all know all too well:  plans change, teams can be overwhelmed and trades can happen even when they are being denied that they are happening.  Exhibit 1A:  Craig Kimbrel.

The Braves’ Roadmap

By this point, we’re pretty well acquainted with the the plan set forth by the John-trust (Schuerholz, Hart, and Coppy):

  • Improve the farm through the draft, primarily pitching
  • Improve the farm through the international market, primary athletic position players
  • Improve the farm by selling veterans for high-upside prospects of all kinds
  • Sign reliable veterans to fill in the gaps at the major league/AAA levels

In general, there are 2 “trade seasons”:  now (before the July 31 trade deadline) and in November/December … plus the occasional late flurry that often happens at the end of Spring Training.

July trades are generally initiated by contending teams to bolster their clubs for the stretch run.  Lots of short-term/rental-guy deals, gap fillers, etc.  Winter trades are more about building a club for the full season and beyond; this of course includes free agent signings for the same purpose.  In July, the sellers and buyers are typically on polar-opposing agendas; those distinctions are much more fuzzy in Winter.

So how would a trade of Teheran fit in?

Down By the Schoolyard

Such a deal would be based around a future benefit for Atlanta, using Teheran to resolve a position-player gap by obtaining a young, controllable kid with high upside at his position.  The obvious gaps that the Braves currently have at this time are (in no particular order) Catching, Left Field, and Third Base.

Teheran’s contract extension is about as team-friendly at it gets:  $1 million this season, bumping up in 2-to-3 million increments to $11 million in 2019, with an option for 2020.  He’s still young, and he’s good.  A trade should bring back a premium prospect… at worst.

In checking around to the teams with excess players at the positions Atlanta would be interested in, one club just keeps leaping off the page to me:  the Los Angeles Dodgers.  They have a fragile rotation… after Kershaw and Greinke, that is.  We saw Brett Anderson leave with an apparent Achilles injury and Brandon Beachy was sent back to AAA after Monday’s start.

For future considerations, Zack Greinke is nearing the date of an opt-out clause that he has in his contract that might require the Dodgers to find another starter for 2016 anyway.  While it is likely that LA could re-up him, that’s by no means a lock, especially given the new management in their front office.

Ergo, They need another front-line starter, particularly one to help them in the playoffs behind their big horses.  Teheran fits that bill.

Meanwhile:  LA has a catalog full of infielders and outfielders – some of which do fit into the Braves’ roadmap, though their average age is roughly 30.  The Dodgers could even choose to part with a catcher, but I don’t think that would be their priority.

Most immediately, I would have to believe that LA wants to make room to promote Hector Olivera (currently at AAA Oklahoma City).  The gotchas involving Olivera, though, are threefold:  (a) Justin Turner has been their best hitter; (b) Howie Kendrick is 3rd on the club in RBI; and (c) Olivera hasn’t actually played in a while, thanks to a hamstring ailment, so the timing isn’t good for them on that front.

The outfielders that LA would make available all have some sort of flaws about them:

If you want to consider Alex Guerrero (and many seem to), his contract has an opt-out-if-traded clause.  In addition, his profile seems to show limited upside.  Fangraphs characterized his production as “insufficient” for a corner outfield position (which would follow for third base as well), and the Braves had no need for a second baseman.

The LA farm is in good shape, too, but could the Braves dream of getting SS/3B Corey Seager?  OF Scott Schebler?  C Austin Barnes?

Holding the Phone

So does LA bite the bullet and send a top prospect to Atlanta?  I doubt it… but there are other teams that might do the equivalent (Cubs?).  The prices for Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, David Price, Jeff Samardzija, or Kyle Lohse might be such that a great offer for Julio Teheran could indeed fall into the lap of the Braves.

All of that is as far as I would like to go right now... but feel free to speculate wildly below if you wish.  While there have been indications that Atlanta is willing to stand pat over the next week, I would not be surprised at all if a big trade is made… and Teheran could be the guy.

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2PM UPDATES via DO’Brien & Buster Olney:

I agree with this:  as suggested above, this would be more akin to a Winter deal than Summer… but Hart/Coppolella will listen, and will act if they get the right offer.

This would seem to be enough “supply” that teams won’t have to come to Atlanta and beg.

Next: A Nice Reminder that We Stole Somebody from Arizona

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