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Atlanta Braves’ Summer trade plans going up in smoke?

By Alan Carpenter

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: An elephant takes the field to re-enact the historic elephant on the field event at Arden Street during the AFL 2017 JLT Community Series match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Hawthorn Hawks at Arden Street Oval on February 26, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: An elephant takes the field to re-enact the historic elephant on the field event at Arden Street during the AFL 2017 JLT Community Series match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Hawthorn Hawks at Arden Street Oval on February 26, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images) /
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Jun 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Adams (18) celebrates a home run with third base coach Ron Washington (37) against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Adams (18) celebrates a home run with third base coach Ron Washington (37) against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

How much things have changed in the past 2 weeks?  Then it was sketchy pitching… decent batting… but a team not really finding its stride.  That’s a recipe for a ‘Summer Seller’.  But now…

Between June 5 and June 11, the Atlanta Braves lost 5 out of 8 games in a rare pair of 4 game series’ vs. the Phillies and Mets.  This dropped the club to 27-35.

Since that date, the Braves are 8-3… second best in the National League.  That’s despite opponents including Washington and (now) Milwaukee.  Heck, even the Marlins have gone 6-4 in that time, and you know where 2 of their losses came from.

35-38.  Just 3 games south of .500 now.  Huh.

Now I’m not about to sit here and pretend that Atlanta now has a shot at an NL Wild Card (they are 10½ games back today) or even the division (9) – and those numbers will spark some debate by themselves (we’ll get to that) – but external events and this team’s play could be tying John Coppolella’s hands and plans as we enter the MLB Trade Season.

Here’s What’s Happening

The trade market is now in a state of flux.  Here’s just a few reasons:

  • Jaime Garcia.  I had an entire post nearly written about his possible landing spots in a trade – and indeed, the Braves have received inquiries on him and others.  But all he’s done in his past 2 starts is give up 12 earned runs in 10 innings, raising his ERA by 0.87 in the space of 6 days.
  • The Tampa Bay Rays.  Coppy is still coveting Chris Archer, right?  Well if that’s ever gonna happen, then it will be during the next off-season, as the Rays are turning into buyers.  They are heavily into talks to obtain Adeiny Hechavarria from the Marlins.  And why not?  If the season ended today, the Rays would host the Wild Card game.
  • The Kansas City Royals.  Since April, there’s be a death watch on this club with vultures circling Kauffman Stadium for tasty trade morsels. But Kansas City is suddenly on the prowl, and their next victim – the 37-34 Twins – are in the crosshairs.
  • Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have cut struggling 1B/DH Chris Carter, promoting Tyler Austin… at least temporarily.  That might have been an obvious trade opportunity for Coppy, vis-a-vis Matt Adams.
  • Freddie Freeman.  This requires some additional discussion…
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