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Atlanta Braves: updating the potential landing spots for Matt Adams

By Dalton Skaggs

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 25: Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves makes a play on a ground ball during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 25: Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves makes a play on a ground ball during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 11: Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on August 11, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 11: Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on August 11, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Despite Matt Adams’ value as a first basemen, there are only 2 teams I see that have potential to acquire Adams via trade this off season from the Atlanta Braves.

While the reality of trading Matt Adams exists, so does retaining Adams for the 2018 season. Towards the end of the season, Adams was limited to pinch hitting duties because, Atlanta Braves players that play LF and have the first name ‘Matt‘, have hamstring issues.

Adams’ hamstring was simply sore in September, but he is always a threat vs RHP off of the bench – or to give Freeman a day off – and Atlanta would have Adams as a backup plan God forbid Freeman gets injured again.

Still – it would be a better idea to move the veteran, and here is an updated list of options… after a quick review of 2017.

Matt Adams’ 2017 Stats

339 AB, 46 R, 96 H, 20 HR, 65 RBI, .274/.319/.522/.841.  wRC+ 112

Of note:  Adams’ WAR value varied greatly, depending on who you ask:

  • Baseball-reference, Offensive:  0.0 with St. Louis, 0.8 for Atlanta
  • Baseball-reference, Defensive:  -0.4 with St. Louis, -0.5 for Atlanta
  • Baseball-reference, Overall:  -0.3, 0.7
  • fangraphs:  1.6 overall

Boston Red Sox

Mitch Moreland is going to be a free agent when the off season begins, and Hanley Ramirez is predominantly a DH for the RSox. Adams had similar stats to Moreland in 169 LESS plate appearances and could have much better stats if he played more games and had more plate appearances.

Moreland had 125 hits in 508 AB’s with 22 HR, 79 RBI in the regular season, and had a slash line of .246/.326/.443/.769. In terms of WAR, Moreland is better than Adams as Moreland had a 2.0 WAR for 2017 while Adams only had 0.7 or 1.6.

Moreland was one of the most productive players for the Red Sox in the postseason, but his postseason performance doesn’t guarantee they’ll re-sign him for next year.

Giving Alex Cora, the Red Sox newly signed manager, an extra tool to play with could prove extremely beneficial for the Red Sox next season. Someone who hits a much better slash line and a similar, if not better, amount of HR/RBI is available to them at the right price.

Los Angeles Angels

Matt Adams would be a significant upgrade over the Angels current first base options: C.J. Cron, Jefry Marte, Luis Valbuena. Albert Pujols is obviously a defensive liability playing first base, which is why he is a DH.

The addition of Adams could give them a good chance at making a postseason run in 2018 after adding Justin Upton before the trade deadline this past season… assuming he opts to  ‘opt in’ to his current contract.

Cron, Marte, and Valbuena hit for a combined slash line of .201/.289/.392/.681 in 2017.  Adding Adams would create much needed consistency in the Angels line-up. A 4-man power threat in Upton, Mike Trout, Matt Adams, and Albert Pujols would make their heart-of-the-order very intimidating.

Once Garret Richards comes back healthy in 2018, Ricky Nolasco, Garret Richards, and Andrew Heaney should be able to get the Angels through the season and give them a legitimate chance at getting into the postseason. Adding Adams’ bat to the lineup would give them even more of a chance to reach the postseason.

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