Atlanta Braves interested in an outfielder

Alex Anthopoulos attends his first winter meeting as Atlanta Braves GM with stated priorities of defense and winning. Will he address one of those by adding an outfielder next week?

It’s no secret the Atlanta Braves need defensive help at the corner outfield spots and third base; most think a veteran pitcher is needed as well. Fans and pundits have Ronald Acuna penciled in as right fielder, but who plays left.

That requires moving Nick Markakis or Matt Kemp or both. We’ve talked that to death but after moving Jim Johnson it’s no longer a pipe dream.  Ignoring who we have to move (please), who might he focus on acquiring?

Atlanta Braves interested in a redhead

The Yankees made their goal of staying under $197.5M payroll more difficult when they acquired  Giancarlo Stanton  from Miami for Starlin Castro and two low-level prospects.  Aside from financial repercussions,  the move added to an already jammed up outfield.

Atlanta Braves

Stanton joins Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury in their outfield pool, so someone – or multiple someones – must find new homes.

Ellsbury’s awful contract is the one they’d love to move, he’s paid like a superstar and plays like a league average, 34-year-old, injury prone outfielder. I expect him to go to the Giants  if the Yankees eat half of his money.

Gardner’s quietly been the catalyst of their lineup. They’d like to keep him and his inexpensive contract as their DH and fourth outfielder.

Apparently the Braves view it that way as well;  Saturday afternoon we heard that Anthopoulos had already inquired about Clint Frazier.

The two low-level prospects are easy enough but the starter I suspect they’ll want is Julio Teheran. Is Frazier worth that ask?