Atlanta Braves Being Mentioned in Trade Talks

May 1, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (left) speaks with catcher Geovany Soto (right) during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards (left) speaks with catcher Geovany Soto (right) during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) throws the first pitch of the season against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) throws the first pitch of the season against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Vultures are already Circling… but should Atlanta give up on the season this soon?

Two items of interest this weekend were repeated at the MLB Trade Rumors site:

Many scouts and front offices feel Julio Teheran will be made available before the trade deadline.  The Braves had some talks with the Giants and Cubs about Teheran last winter, and the 25-year-old righty has likely elevated his value with a good start to his season after he struggled in the first half of 2015.

The White Sox have $13MM to spend as a result of Adam LaRoche’s March retirement and are in need of another left-handed bat, which means they’re a potential fit for outfielders Jay Bruce, Brett Gardner, Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith and Nick Markakis, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The Angels could also be in on those players, per Cafardo.

I get it:  the Atlanta Braves are under-performing.  Also in breaking news this morning:  water is wet and we still hate the Nationals.  But here we are, still in the early half of May… not even 20% done with the 2016 season.  Should the Braves even consider ‘blowing it all up’ again?

Well – maybe.  And there are some scenarios in which you’d consider doing do.  Let’s talk about two of them – for two entirely divergent reasons.

Next: Scenario 1 - the Chicago White Sox

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