One Final Idea for the Atlanta Braves That Might Work With the Cubs
A Proposal
Mind you, I suggest this solely because the Braves seems to really want Soler.
More from Tomahawk Take
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- Braves News: Braves acquire Diaz, moves around the division, more
- Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: J.R. Graham
- Atlanta Braves Acquire Lewin Diaz from the Orioles
- Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 6-10
Atlanta Receives:
- Jorge Soler ($3.66m in 2016)
- Javier Baez (min salary)
- Jason Hammel ($9.0m)
- Travis Wood ($6.4m est.)
Cubs Receive:
- Shelby Miller ($4.9m est.)
- Manny Banuelos or Williams Perez for depth (min salary)
- Arodys Vizcaino ($1.1m)
- Michael Bourn ($14m)
- $10 million
Nets on the salary numbers:
- ATL increases payroll $9 million (to roughly $92m)
- CHC decreases payroll by like amount… to roughly $129m
- Chicago also greatly improves their OF defense in both CF and RF as they could now pursue Heyward.
- Braves get long-term commits in both Soler and Baez; Hammel and Wood good only for 2016.
- Braves can then look at other deals to move Markakis and perhaps Erick Aybar (or play Baez at 3B for 2016; SS thereafter)
Granted – the Cubs would not do this unless the could get Heyward under contract.
If Chicago was unable to get Heyward, then they could still consider Markakis… and almost balance the payroll with what they are committing to today. Obviously, he would not be their first choice, but his OBP skills would be excellent in front of their thumpers: Rizzo, Bryant, and Schwarber.
The Cubs are in this box because their approach via the draft and trades has been 180° opposed to the Braves’ approach over the past few years: hitters and shortstops. Thus the time might be ripe that both teams do themselves a favor and get together to share each other’s wealth. The Lackey signing was something of a coup for the Cubs (while complicating matters for the Braves), but if these teams truly wish to make a deal, there is one to be had here.
One thing to add: I’m not advocating such a deal, because it could certainly complicate life for the Braves going forward. However, we know that once this dog has a bone – like their desire to get Hector Olivera early in the year and Soler now – the team may continue to push until they get what they want. This at least seems a reasonably equitable way to get it done.
Regardless, it’s going to be nuts next week at the Winter Meetings.