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Will The Atlanta Braves Add Trevor Plouffe?

By Fred Owens

Sep 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a home run in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a home run in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a single during the ninth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY
Aug 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a single during the ninth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY /

What Would it Cost?

The market has a few teams looking for a third baseman but the most obvious suitors outside of Atlanta would be the Mets and Giants. Over the last for years he compiled .253/.313/.418/.431 line with 62 homers. That makes him a league average bat with 15 homer power playing at a slight pitcher’s park. The league average contract for a third baseman is $11M.

That production and positional scarcity should earn him three to four years at $24-$32M.

That’s a Wrap

I think third base will be an issue for the Braves again this year. I know the Braves said they were happy to start the season with Adonis Garcia at third and I remember well his seemingly miraculous transition from concrete handed outfielder playing the infield to a more dependable defender. I’m just not sure that transformation was permanent and I don;t believe the Braves are either.

Garcia obviously enjoyed hitting second but that role is likely going to belong to Dansby Swanson this year. He’s also a year older and while he doesn’t strike out much he also doesn’t walk much (≤4%). I know the Braves said they were happy to start the season with him at third but adding a proven player like Plouffe must be tempting.

Next: You Can't Predict Baseball. .

I’ve seen suggestion that we trade for Nick Castellanos or Todd Frazier. Both would cost prospects while Plouffe would only cost a little money.  Overall Plouffe has been better than Castellanos and while not as good as Frazier, the Todd father would probably be a one year rental.

When Rio Ruiz or Austin Riley or Travis Demeritte are ready, Plouffe can be traded; third basemen who can play a little first are always a good commodity.

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