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The Atlanta Braves Would Like to Trade Erick Aybar… But Where?

By Alan Carpenter

Jun 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia (left) knocks down a ball in front of shortstop Erick Aybar (1) allowing a runner to reach base against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia (left) knocks down a ball in front of shortstop Erick Aybar (1) allowing a runner to reach base against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 6, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) holds his side after a swing during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Carpenter left the game with a right oblique injury. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 6, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) holds his side after a swing during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Carpenter left the game with a right oblique injury. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Let’s Extend this to Second Base

How many of these clubs might need a keystone sacker?  Aybar’s defense might actually play better there, but his offense still needs to keep up.  So let’s check again:  team by team.

METS.  Neil Walker isn’t Daniel Murphy, but he’s been pretty good.

ROYALS.  Whit Merrifield has stepped in where Omar Infante did not.  They are okay.

DBACKS.  Jean Segura with old friend Philip Gosselin as backup.

ORIOLES.  Schoop is doing just fine, thanks.

BLUE JAYS.  Between Darwin Barney, Devon Travis, and Ryan Goins, I think they’re okay.

RED SOX.  Pedroia.

INDIANS.  Jason Kipnis is the man.

TIGERS.  Ianb Kinsler is having an Ian Kinsler year.

WHITE SOX.  Brett Lawrie.  Not great, but good.

RANGERS.  If not Odor, then Profar.

ASTROS.  Altuve.  Next…

MARINERS.  Robbie Cano is quietly having a Robbie Cano year.

NATIONALS.  Daniel Murphy is having a great year.

MARLINS.  Here’s a team with too much at second base, with Derek Detrich having a great year and Dee Gordon soon to return from suspension.

CUBS.  Ben Zobrist, All-Star.

PIRATES.  Josh Harrison is still good enough for a team needing more.  Aybar wouldn’t be enough of a bump, but could be costly to them.

CARDINALS.  This could be a spot.  Matt Carpenter‘s recent oblique strain is definitely concerning to the Cardinals, and the combo of Jedd Gyorko and Kolton Wong is just not good enough offensively.  If Carpenter is out for any extended period of time (and this seems likely), the Cards might call.

– of note:  if the Cardinals are interested now, that interest is less than 24 hours old and is unrelated to O’Brien’s tweet.

GIANTS.  Panik, once he returns from a concussion.

DODGERS.  Good enough with Chase Utley hitting .270.

So Who is on the Other End of the Phone?

Honestly, I’m not seeing what led to the original tweet.  Even in the case of the Kansas City Royals, there’s really no real ‘upgrade’ for shortstop – certainly not one worth either (a) a trade or (b) taking on salary to do it.

It’s starting to appear that the best-case scenario for the Braves is either that the Cardinals need a 2 months boost to replace Carpenter or the Mets learn that Jose Reyes can’t cut it at all in New York.

Next: But Check Out Who WAS Valuable

Is there real trade interest in Erick Aybar?  Maybe.  But it’s difficult to find.  Right now, the Cardinals have the only true need, and with the Cubs treading water, they need to strike quickly to take advantage.

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