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5 buy low trade targets for the Atlanta Braves

By Stephen Tolbert

Apr 12, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; TTexas Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar (19) singles in a run in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; TTexas Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar (19) singles in a run in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) tags out Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) trying to stretch a base hit into a double in the second inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) tags out Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) trying to stretch a base hit into a double in the second inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

I love buying low. You probably like buying low too. It’s fun. It’s low risk. And often there’s a chance for high reward.  The Atlanta Braves also like buying low and I want them to do more of it.

In the off-season, Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella pulled off a couple buy low moves that, so far, have worked out tremendously.

Alex Jackson was struggling in a major way in the Seattle Mariners system and Coppy saw a chance to take advantage. Couple of low ceiling arms later and Atlanta now has a supremely talented former first round bat destroying the ball in High A.

Brandon Phillips was a man without a role in Cincinnati but also had a no-trade clause that made him almost impossible to move. But he wanted to come to Atlanta, his home town, and again Coppy took advantage of a situation to add a quality player for almost no cost.

These are fun.

So fun in fact that I came up with 5 more opportunities the Braves might have to add a high level/upside player whose value has dropped for one reason or another.

The Rules:

  • I’m looking specifically at position players. After Ozzie Albies, the number of high-level position in the upper minors is thin. There are a couple guys who are interesting but Atlanta simply needs a larger supply.
  • Part of buying low is convincing the other guy to sell low. And that’s not always easy. Because of this I’m looking at guys who are in franchises that look to be contending this year. A great way to convince a team to sell low on a future piece is to offer something that helps them win now. Low-risk present value can often net you high ceiling future value. See the Alex Jackson trade.
  • Remember these are buy-low guys for reason. They’ve had bad year(s) or injuries or something that has hurt their trade value and can potentially be had at reduced cost. So please don’t respond with statements like “why would we want that guy, his numbers suck” or some version of it. If you don’t understand the buy-low concept then just move along without comment.
  • These isn’t a ranking, just a list. Just because a guy is at 1 or 2 doesn’t mean I want him or value him more than the guys at 4 or 5.

Okay – to the list!

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