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Atlanta Braves 2017 Outfield: What to do?

By Ryan Cothran

Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading Nick Markakis

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Nick has been exactly what the Braves have paid him to be.  He’s a slightly above average player that, according to Fangraphs, has been worth his contract this year and last. He’s not flashy, fast, outspoken. In fact, he’s seemingly mute, emotionless, and, to be quite honest, boring.

From the TV and the stadium view, he seems to be a nice enough guy who doesn’t ruffle feathers, and leads by example. There needs to be guys like that on teams filled with young’uns.

But now, the Braves are suited with some good clubhouse leaders outside of Nick in Freddie Freeman, Ender Inciarte, Tyler Flowers, and even newest addition, Dansby Swanson. Not only this, but Markakis is only under team control for ‘17&’18, obviously he’s not a long-term option.

Do the Braves need Nick anymore?  My opinion: no.

Trading Mallex Smith

I’ll make this quick. Mallex Smith has a career .382 on-base percentage in the Minor Leagues. He’s also been successful in 80% of his stolen base attempts in the Minors. After his initial adjustment period in the MLB, Mallex was doing exactly the same thing in the MLB that he did in the MILB and that is hit, get on base, steal base.

His last 42 games? A .778 OPS with 12 stolen bases to 5 CS (and 2 of those CS were replay flukes and 2 others were from over-sliding the bag).

Trading him after an injury is a sell-low on a player that, in my opinion, could be the real answer to “Who’s the Braves leadoff man? Ozzie Albies, Ender, or Mallex? He’s got the full package and the Braves shouldn’t waste it for 2 more years of Markakis!

An interesting trial (and maybe error..pun intended) to help Matt Kemp’s Defensive Woes

What I’d like to see happen in 2017 is for the Braves to pioneer an outfield system to aid Kemp in Left Field. Both Mallex and Ender can cover serious ground east to west in the outfield, likely more than any other combo in MLB. Ender does it with instant reads off of the bat, and Mallex does it with God’s gift of legs that move faster than most humans.

With this speed, the Braves could pose a new OF look in which Kemp hugs the line almost like a no-doubles outfield that’s implemented full-time in left field. Mallex, being in CF, due to lack of arm strength, shades toward left field, helping cover the ground lost by Kemp’s positioning.  Ender, plays a tad bit more off the line in RF, helping cover the ground Mallex is losing shading toward left.

This likely only increases the extra area needed to cover on each side by  4-5 feet and helps Kemp harness his strength which is running to his glove-side.

Next: Sorting the Starting Pitching Market

That’s a wrap folks! Let’s hear thoughts on the matter from the bleachers!

Let’s say it together! 1, 2, 3…

Go BRAVES!!!

 

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