House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves 2017 Outfield: What to do?

By Ryan Cothran

Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Four starting outfielders and 3 available positions.  Aside from obtaining reliable pitching, this is the biggest question mark for the Braves this off-season: who becomes the odd man out?

In the following, Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella is Dr. Evil. Who’s Mini-Me? Find out…

"Dr. Evil: All right, it’s getting crowded in here. Everyone out. Everyone out. C’mon. Dr. Evil: Not you, Scottie. Not you, Number 2. Not you, Frau. Not you, Goldmember. Not you, guys back there. Not you, henchman holding wrench. Not you, henchman arbitrarily turning knobs, making it seem like you’re doing something. Dr. Evil:           Ohh, this is uncomfortable. Goldmember: Hehehehe, the tiny one can’t take a hint, Hehehehehe. He doesn’t understand he’s small."

Atlanta Braves 2017 Outfield…

…it’s crowded. The old cliché “It’s a good problem to have” rings true. Between Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, and Mallex Smith, the Braves have 4 OFers capable of being primary starters for 3 positions.

The Braves could:

  1. Trade Matt Kemp
  2. Trade Ender Inciarte
  3. Trade Nick Markakis
  4. Trade Mallex Smith
  5. Keep all 4.

So what’s realistic? In my opinion, 1,2, and 5 are not answers.  Kemp has provided much needed power in a lineup that’s mostly vacant of power outside of Freddie Freeman. With hopes of Kemp getting in better shape and being a mainstay at the cleanup spot and providing better defense in left field, I think we can scratch off number 1.

Inciarte has lit the baseball world on fire in the 2nd half of the 2016 season with 86 hits and 19 walks out of the leadoff spot. That comes out to a .377 OBP which is exactly the kind of production one would want out of a speedy leadoff hitter. While trading Inciarte would be a sell-high, it’s likely not going to happen considering the Braves front office has stated that the selling off of cheap, quality players is over. Scratch number 2 off the list.

Keeping all 4 guys just isn’t a solution that works well for these 4. Kemp, Inciarte, and Markakis have all been everyday players for their careers. The backlash of sitting that trio once every 4 games would likely cause a clubhouse cacophony the Braves brass aren’t interested in. Scratch number 5 off the list.

That leaves numbers 3 and 4, but in reality only one makes real sense.  Let’s look at each one separately.

Home/Braves News