How Marlon Byrd Might Resolve Multiple Atlanta Braves Problems
May 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wooden baseball bats rest in the rack before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Other Variations on the Theme
Atlanta still needs a bat. Whether that comes at the trade deadline this season or during the off-season, it’s clearly a goal. Most likely, that bat would have to come via a player that plays the outfield (third base is the only other realistic position available, and those players are exceedingly scarce).
Trading Markakis still opens up a position in the outfield, and thus makes for better flexibility… whether Olivera factors in the picture or not.
But certainly, the Braves should be talking with the Indians about these scenarios. The Indians need help quick, and Markakis is one of the most readily available and useful options around.
Of the other obvious options for Cleveland, Jay Bruce is the name that makes most sense. His production has been marginally better than that of Markakis, and he’s a free agent at year’s end. However, what would Cincinnati want back? It’s not likely that they’d pay the full freight (around $8 million-ish), which would be an issue for the Indians.
Still, Cleveland would have to weigh that cost against the fact that Markakis still has 2 more contract years after 2016… and that’s why Atlanta would need to be aggressive here.
Trading Nick Markakis clearly does not help Atlanta for this season, but would allow a lot more freedom for the future… including the chance to remove Olivera from the scene more easily if that’s the direction they’d like to go.
Is such a deal necessary for an Olivera release? No, because most of the same machinations could be arranged for a 2017 release. But it would certainly help Atlanta’s planning and financial flexibility to have their ducks in a row – earlier than later.