Which Atlanta Braves Player is Traded Next?

Apr 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Fans looks at sports memorabilia for sale before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves’ Surplus Shop is Still Open for Business

The rumblings, mumblings, and stumblings (Cubs, Indians, and Dodgers in that order) have continued despite the end of baseball’s Winter Meetings.  So have the outright whiffs (Cardinals, Nationals).  Yet with nearly every trade rumor that continues to arise, there seems to be some legitimate means of putting the Atlanta Braves into the conversation.  There are still a lot of teams with real needs as we enter the second half of December, and there’s an unofficial clock running in the heads of those General Managers who really want to stop answering phones by New Year’s Day…maybe sooner.

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Who is Available?

Technically, the answer to this question is “everyone”, though it is clear that some players are much more available than others.  But let’s hit the highlights:

• Ender Inciarte.  New leader in the clubhouse to claim the title of ‘Human Trade Rumor’ after Shelby Miller yielded the mantle. Braves are said to need to be overwhelmed (“again”) to trade trade him.
• Nick Markakis.  His name is coming up more and more often from fans, though I have not seen him actually associated with any credible rumor at this point.  Talk (and it’s only been talk) about Kansas City actually does make good sense.  St. Louis might also.  However, Alex Gordon will make a decision before clubs start talking about Markakis, and even then Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton will be part of the process to shape this market.
• Julio Teheran.  Could the Braves’ Opening Day starter end up being Bud Norris??  With the number of teams still looking for starting pitching (and the Indicans putting such a high price on theirs), I still believe it is more likely than not that Teheran and his still very friendly contract are moved.  Atlanta needs him, but even more, they need to trade him while pitching is scarce and before he has a chance to struggle any further.
• Arodys Vizcaino.  Atlanta already tried to package him with Shelby Miller.  This is his first arbitration season – would be a good time to move him, possibly with Teheran.
• Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn.  Absolutely available.  However, if either player can be moved, it will be sometime in the Feb/March timeframe as a ‘last choice’ among those missing out on the available free agents.
• Erick Aybar.  Likely not now.  Entirely possible by the trade deadline, though.
• Any relief pitcher not named Vizcaino.  Also think July.
• Hector Olivera.  Not going anywhere.  His value is still unknown at this point.
• Any other position player not named Freeman.  No.
• Any other starting pitcher not named Teheran.  Unlikely, as most teams are looking for ‘proven’ starters and not rookies.

At this point, allow me to pause for a thought on Freddie Freeman.  First, I will refer you to Jeff’s missive from earlier today.  Second:  of all players on this team, I do not believe that Freeman is a tradable asset at this time.  That should be the case whether we’re talking about his wrist (yes, it ‘feels’ good, but that was also the case for a period of time last summer) or the fact that he’s the face of the franchise.

There are a limited number of teams that could use him anyway, but none of these are going to commit to $118 million (which is close to current market rates) for the next six seasons without knowing the wrist will be fine on Day 1.  Meanwhile, replacing his threat in the lineup is a tall order, and one that would have deep future costs to replace (unless Austin Riley or Braxton Davidson steps up by 2017 or ’18).

So while Freeman could bring back a nice return, it’s not guaranteed.  Keeping him means fewer needs in the future.  Things can change this equation, but the hope here is that this on-again/off-again discussion about trading Freddie goes “off” – and stays that way for a while.

Otherwise, the Official Party Line remains the same: ‘we are not shopping anyone; we would have to be overwhelmed to trade _____.’

Unofficially?  Swisher and Bourn are definitely being shopped, and whenever the phone rings, it is answered quickly.

Next: Coppy's List: Matching Buyers With This Seller