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What If the Atlanta Braves Decided to… BUY?

By Alan Carpenter

Jul 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Chase d'Arnaud (23, center) celebrates with teammates after he hit the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning of their win against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. The Braves won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Chase d'Arnaud (23, center) celebrates with teammates after he hit the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning of their win against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. The Braves won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 8, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) hits a two run RBI double against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 10 to 9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Khris Davis (2) hits a two run RBI double against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 10 to 9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade 1 – Oakland:  Sonny Gray and Khris Davis

If the Braves do nothing else in the next 2 weeks, this deal makes all the sense in the world… at least in my head, it does.

Here’s the offer:

I didn’t say that these deals wouldn’t hurt.  This one hurts the most because it’s an impact deal that sets up everything else.  But it gives Billy Beane a lot of players with potential, which he craves.  And honestly, you might have to overpay a bit to get this done.

In Sonny Gray, you’re banking on a return to form – which has the potential to be easier on him closer to home (Smyrna, TN and Vanderbilt University).  He’s 26 and controllable through 2019.

Going to the NL, he automatically gets a ERA breather… never mind a lot of teams who have only seen him sparingly.  All of that should help.

Adding Gray would give you a huge rotation boost.  Imagine rolling into Cobb County with a starting 5 of Teheran, Gray, Foltynewicz, Wisler, and … pick another name from about 5 options available.  No more need for a grizzled veteran to eat innings.

Khris Davis is a poor man’s Mark Trumbo.  At age 28, he’s still arbitration-eligible through 2019.  Right now he’s slashing .252/.287/.503/.790… and this is down from 2015.  Still, he has 23 homers and 61 RBI at this point with wRC+ of 109.

The downside?  He’s still about potential and at his age, he’s probably just about all you’ll get, but what he provides isn’t bad.  He’s also not great out in left field – a bit below average with a Defensive Runs Saved index that’s about neutral.  But put him 5th or 6th in the lineup and he can drive in a bunch of guys.

Next: Trade 2 - 3rd Base

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