Atlanta Braves: What We Know After the Winter Meetings
Who are the Braves Interested In
All of this will be speculation as the AA doesn’t give away much, but here are some names the Braves might have some interest in who are still available.
There is a lot of talk that the Braves might have interest in Detroit Tigers outfielder Nick Castellanos. He is coming off a great year offensively in which he hit .298 with 23 home runs and a .354 on-base percentage.
Sources: #Tigers OF Nick Castellanos is drawing trade interest. #Braves are among the teams that have checked in. Castellanos, 26, is coming off a career offensive year and is an alternative to Brantley and Pollock via free agency. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2018
The one knock on Nick is that he’s not a great defender in the outfield, but the Braves could cover that up a little with Ender and Acuna.
Other outfielders the Braves are believed to have interest in are Michael Brantley, Carlos Gonzalez, and Nick Markakis.
I was a bit surprised to hear that the Braves had talks with A.J. Pollock (subscription required). I think he will be priced out of the Braves range, but if it were to happen I think that would open up a way for the Braves to trade Ender for a top starter like Kluber.
The Braves apparently had talks with the Rangers about outfield help. That could be Shin-Shoo Choo, Nomar Mazara, or Joey Gallo.
Rangers have been talking with Braves and Mets about young controllable pitching....both teams looking for outfield help....Mets would prefer a right handed hitter though
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) December 11, 2018
Somehow J.T. Realmuto is still out there, and until he gets traded I have to believe the Braves are still in on him.
There has not been much chatter about the Braves and starting pitching. I think that’s because the options for an ace are limited, and I don’t think it makes much sense for the Braves to trade for a starter who isn’t an ace.
That means the Braves top targets are likely free agent Dallas Keuchel and Kluber from the Indians.
Braves seem to have Keuchel atop their wish list. Seek 1 starter, 1 reliever and 1 outfielder.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2018
It sounds like the San Francisco Giants are going to hang onto Madison Bumgarner until the trade deadline.
I really wish we knew more about who the Atlanta Braves might be targeting for starting pitching. With a lot of the free agent pitchers coming off the board at the Winter Meetings, I think the trade market hits up.
There has been almost no talk of the Braves being interested in any relievers, but you know they are keeping their eye on that market as well.
Next. Atlanta Braves rumors: Any Rangers for the taking?. dark
Stay tuned to Tomahawk Take all offseason as we updated you with all of the rumors and rumblings on the hot stove.