Atlanta Braves might do well to shop in Chicago right now

The fire sale appears to be on in full measure in the windy city, and the Atlanta Braves could use a couple of pieces from there.

You’ve likely already heard that the Cubs have traded Yu Darvish to San Diego.  While the Atlanta Braves could certainly have used that arm in their rotation, there are always the questions about both his durability and cost.

That said, the Cubs likely still have some players that Atlanta could use… and it appears that the North-siders are still in “sell” mode:

Now Contreras would be an interesting get for the Braves, but since Travis d’Arnaud is still the primary catcher for this club, William Contreras‘ older brother is probably not the first option that would be in consideration.

Nonetheless, if someone making money at that level is being shopped, that essentially tells us that the whole team can be had… for a price.

Atlanta’s interests are almost certainly not at the top of the pay scale, but seeing what happened in the Darvish deal, there’s a good chance that they can find a relative bargain.

Let’s peruse the roster just a bit:

Available Cubs

• JASON HEYWARD.  He’s now the most expensive player in blue-and-white, making $21 million in 2021 and $22 million for the next pair of seasons after that.

In 2020, he had a solid year at the plate, getting an .848 OPS while hitting .265.  However:  (a) short season stats may not be trustworthy; and (b) that’s the best year he’s had since he broke in with the Braves way back in 2010.

He’s had better hitting years (.293 in 2015), but nothing more productive.

BRAVES’ INTEREST:  tepid at best; an outfielder is needed — and he’s a great one — but at that price, he’d also need to hit like Marcell Ozuna, and he doesn’t.

• KRIS BRYANT.  Suddenly, this becomes more interesting.  The Cubs are picking up some of Darvish’s contract for San Diego.  One has to wonder if they might do likewise (say $4 or $5 million?) for Bryant.

That Darvish deal was essentially just a salary dump on their part, and with one year left with Bryant before he bolts elsewhere, you’d think that Jed Hoyer has figured out that the best path forward would be to get what they can for Bryant and move on.

They would ask for Austin Riley, no doubt.  However, that’s a “no way” answer from Atlanta.  A swap for Johan Camargo, though… that might be palatable to the Braves.  Throw in a middling prospect for that $4-to-5 million and perhaps there’s a deal to be had.

In such a scenario, Riley could either get more work on his hitting at Gwinnett in 2021 or play left field.  Either option might work out.

BRAVES’ INTEREST:  probably enough to inquire seriously.  Not sure that Bryant would be healthy enough to be “the bat” they need (and in truth, Riley is probably a better defender), but it’s worth exploring.

• CRAIG KIMBREL.  He’s on the hook for a $16 million payday with a $1 million buyout against a 2022 option.  He’s also not been very good since leaving Boston.

I’ll cut this one short:  at this monetary level, you’d had to be sure that Kimbrel is a lot closer to the 40+ save guy than he’s been lately… and that’s going to be very difficult to insure.

BRAVES’ INTEREST:  Maybe if the team could swap Kimbrel with Ender Inciarte.  The Cubs do need a centerfielder, and this would save them some money.

PROPOSAL:  Make it Kimbrel and Ian Happ to Atlanta for Inciarte and a prospect.  That could solve the left-field problem.

• ZACH DAVIES.  Yes, the guy who’s been a Cub for about 5 minutes after being traded from the Padres.  He’s also set to make $9 million in 2021.  He’s also a free agent after the year’s up.  Oh, and he’s been pretty good, too.

BRAVES’ INTEREST:  This is tougher since they just brought in Smyly and Morton… though Davies is going to be cheaper (and possibly better) than both.

Atlanta also has Mike Soroka returning, but it’s not a certainty that he’s an Opening Day starter… whenever the season actually starts.

While a swap for Davies is intriguing, I can’t really see that happening due to what’s already in place… unless Atlanta were to ship out Bryse Wilson or Kyle Wright… which isn’t terribly likely.

That covers everyone making over $1 million except Kyle Hendricks, Javy Baez, and Anthony Rizzo — all of whom would be in the category of “not needed” for Atlanta (eh… maybe Hendricks).

So of all these options, the ones most likely (of all these unlikely scenarios) involve Bryant, Happ, and Kimbrel.

This is all also contingent on the Atlanta Braves also having some money to spend.  That might be the case… but we’ll have to review that once Alex Anthopoulos weighs his options for the rest of the Winter.