Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Growing Pains, Rumor Sorting
Once thought to be untouchable, could the Atlanta Braves listen to offers for Freddie Freeman?
Freddie Freeman could be the subject of trade talks by the Braves after all.
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It was once believed that Freddie Freeman might be the only player on the Atlanta Braves roster that could be untouchable this season. Now, with his production not as solid as the team had hoped, will the organization look to trade him along with other veterans before the major league deadline. As Demetrius Bell of talkingchop.com wrote that might be the case.
The two players who could bring the Braves the most in return for a trade are also the two players who the Braves are least likely to trade: Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran. With that being said, the Braves haven’t exactly pulled Teheran off of the market, and Freeman’s production so far this season has the Braves thinking that he may not be as untouchable as they once thought. This could get interesting.
There has been talk as well the team is willing to part with outfielder Nick Markakis and his $11-million salary, but his production has been below average as well.
…
[ Editor’s note: No. Not happening.
There’s multiple reasons, but the chief ones come down to these: his contract and his current production. If you’re selling a $100 million player, then you need $100 million production, and right now that’s not there. It would be a “sell low” situation, and that wouldn’t work for the Braves.
But on top of that, who would be interested?
In an ordinary season, the Yankees might come calling – and they still could – but right now, they have more needs than just first base. Of other competitive clubs with struggles at the 1st base bag, we also have the Angels (who aren’t moving Albert Pujols) the Red Sox (who aren’t moving Hanley Ramirez), the White Sox (who are keeping Jose Abreu), the Nationals (who aren’t getting Freeman), the Dodgers (who aren’t moving Adrian Gonzalez), the Pirates (who can’t afford Freeman) and the Rangers… who might actually be slightly interested.
So speculate all you want, but Freddie Freeman is going nowhere… despite Jim Bowden’s thoughts and despite Talking Chop’s thoughts. ]
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