Upgrading the Atlanta Braves Left Field: 3 Methods, 7 Options
Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) runs after a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
The Free Agent Route
MLB Trade Rumors cites 22 names of players who can be free agents at the end of the season. Of those, we can eliminate several right away:
- Jeff Baker (age, lack of production)
- Willie Bloomquist (age, lack of production)
- Endy Chavez (age, lack of production)
- Alejandro De Aza (lack of production)
- David DeJesus (has an option; could be picked up by the Rays)
- Jonny Gomes*
- Delmon Young (just no)
- Matt Joyce (tanked to .178; not getting regular player time)
- Don Kelly (seeing his stats, shocked he lasted this long)
- Nate McLouth (nope)
- David Murphy (only 1 good year; hovers around replacement level)
- Steve Pearce (one excellent year – 2014 – role player)
- Sean Rodriguez (no)
- Tyler Colvin (no)
- Ryan Sweeney ($2.5m team option; if they can’t pick that up, then no)
- Justin Upton (going to be exorbitantly expensive)
* Gomes is in a special category: if the Braves wish to retain him, they could choose to vest his contract. Regardless, he will not be an everyday-solution for 2016.
One more name I’ll mention: Jason Heyward. It is at least possible that the team could try and sign him and move Nick Markakis to LF. But that will not happen, as he’s going to be looking for something close to $200 million.
This leaves the following, with the WAR for 2014 and 2015 provided:
- Chris B. Young (0.3, 1.2)
- Kelly Johnson (0.5, 0.4)
- Gerardo Parra (0.1, 1.1)
- Yoenis Cespedes (3.3, 3.2)
- Rajai Davis (1.4, 0.8)
- Alejandro de Aza (1.5, 0.8)
- Chris Denorfia (0.4, 0.4)
- Alex Gordon (6.6, 2.9)
Clearly, there are two names that stand out above all the rest: Cespedes and Gordon. Of the pair, Gordon is the most attractive due to outfield defense play and clubhouse presence, and the Royals’ recent moves suggest that they do not expect him to re-sign with them. While he will be expensive – probably $20-22 million a year for 5 years, he would also likely be consistently productive.
Cespedes is 18 months younger and would likely command more years in a contract. As much as I believe the Braves might be squeamish about locking up Gordon for 5 years or so… and somebody might go for six with him… I seriously doubt that they would want to go for a longer term for Cespedes – even if it’s for a bit less annually.
The Braves can afford a big deal this off-season… right now their committed dollars are coming in at under $58 million for 2016… but the question is whether one of these guys is worth that kind of money. While others could be focused on Upton and Heyward this fall, it could be a good plan to swoop in under the radar and snag either Gordon or Cespedes.
For the other free agents on that list? Not really, though one might be targeted for a 4th outfielder, as Kelly Johnson was this year.
Next: The Trade Market