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Atlanta Braves Getting Trade Hit on Arodys Vizcaino?

By Alan Carpenter

Jun 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) pitches against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) pitches against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder
Sep 23, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder /

Here’s Where It Gets Interesting

Trading with a division rival is rare.  The Braves have actually done quite a bit of this lately, making deals with the Mets (sending out Kelly Johnson twice in two years), plus a trade with the Marlins involving Hunter Cervenka.

But those trades involved role players from a non-competitive team.  Now the Braves are getting close to being competitive, while the Mets are at a point in which they are seeing a window of opportunity start to close on them.

Moreover, would the Mets want to add fuel to Atlanta’s rebuild fire?  Adding players that might be then used against them for years to come?

It is for that reason that I expect Atlanta might be one of the last options that New York would be inclined to go with to fill bullpen needs.

Besides, there are several directions the Braves could go in an attempt to make the Metropolitans regret they had asked:

  • Michael Conforto.  Admittedly, when the Mets informed Jay Bruce that he’s their right-fielder, that relegated Conforto to the bench, which is a terrible idea.  Still, that’s a price I believe the Mets would never agree to.
  • Juan Lagares.  If Conforto gets the bench, then Lagares gets the end of the bench.  Atlanta needs a fourth outfielder now, but it would really require more than just Lagares to get Vizcaino pried loose.
  • Brandon Nimmo.  Like Conforto, this would be a coup for the Braves, though again, he feels like a bit too much for Vizcaino.  Still, with prices as they are and the Mets having 2-3 spare outfielders… it can’t hurt to ask, right?
  • A better fit might be Desmond Lindsay. Drafted in 2015, this outfielder projects as a more athletic option with solid grades across the board.  He’s quite a ways from the majors, so I would also want one of their best catching prospects.  I would guess that the Mets might be more willing here.

Want to really shoot for the moon?  Ask for ZacK Wheeler or Robert Gsellman.  Both would be rejected (even if Atlanta would agree to take Jay Bruce and his contract via Coppy’s Catch-and-Release program), but so long as we’re playing the game, let’s play to win.

Look:  this whole thing was born out of the speculation of somebody who is guessing.  He’s clearly right – the Mets need bullpen help.  But would they actually come to the Braves to get their needs met?

The guess from this side is “no” – they wouldn’t.  But if that’s wrong, I do think the Braves would have a response ready to suggest.

Next: Maybe 2 Atlanta MVPs? Ryan and Freeman?

I just wouldn’t hold my breath.  But it’s fun to play the game.

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