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Atlanta Braves Being Too Quiet? Trade Market Predictions

By Alan Carpenter|

Braves relief pitcher Jim Johnson (53) celebrates with catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) after defeating the Chicago Cubs 4-2 at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re getting antsy that the trade deadline is going by quietly for Atlanta, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a few notes to pique your interest this afternoon:

He also mentions that in terms of “order of likelihood”, he ranks the trade chances as Johnson, Pierzynski, and then Gomes.  I would agree with that order.  Barring a big offer from someone, I also expect that there are not any additional trade candidates at this time.

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Does that mean that the Braves aren’t thinking about fixing any of their current issues?  Heavens, no.  This time of year is also about having conversations with other clubs about their future ideas, plans, and – especially this – their timing for working on those plans.

For example, take the Colorado Rockies.  Two days ago, they did exactly what they said they wouldn’t do:  trade Troy Tulowitski.  But that move sends a new, strong signal:  that they have chosen to rebuild their club, and thus people have started inquiring about Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado.

When that happened, word leaked out that the Rockies are toying with the idea of moving CarGo, but likely not until the off-season.  In fact, their GM just said the following about trading him now:

Timing.  That’s still valuable information that teams need to know for planning.  Right now, the Atlanta Braves are all about planning for the future.

Back to the Braves

The next trick is in how the club wishes to play their relatively light hand before Friday.  And here’s where the scouts are invaluable.  If you’re moving a Craig Kimbrel or Justin Upton, you’re asking for a lot… and you’ll get it.  When you’ve got second or third tier talent, then you’re looking for the diamond in the rough that a scout has seen and made mental notes about.

All three of these players would provide a solid service to a contending club, but the buyers are not going to pay a lot to get them.  On the flip side, the Braves don’t actually have to trade them, either, but there’s the balancing acts between present and future values… and in sending money to “buy a better prospect in return.

Unfortunately, the reason that we’re discussing “selling” and not “buying” is because that’s the position we’re in now after first losing Freddie Freeman for a month, and then removing Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the offense.  Losing Jason Grilli and getting swept in Colorado put a dagger to things as well.  So it’s ‘future planning’ mode now, and most teams simply don’t plan for their futures in July.  That happens in November through January.

Predictions

So here’s a shot in the dark about what I think could happen later this week… and beyond:

  • Jim Johnson will be traded to Minnesota for LHP Stephen Gonsalves.  If we get really lucky (and pay for Johnson’s contract), then maybe the Twins let us take OF Adam Walker.  But that would shock me.
  • A.J. Pierzynski.  To Kansas City for LHP Eric Skogland, since he’s a UCF guy.  The Royals were already ‘all in’… but this would help them finish with a flourish by giving them a much more offensive-minded backup catcher.
  • Jonny Gomes.  Stays in Atlanta, though he could be the subject of a waiver wire deal in August.

Acquisitions?  None at this time.  But this Winter could be real fun to watch.

As usual, please do chime in with your thoughts below.

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