Atlanta Braves should target this 3rd baseman in a trade

An 11-20 record demands a shake-up, and the Braves should take a serious look at the third base position for both their ‘now’ and their ‘later’.

The Atlanta Braves have been trying to make Adonis Garcia work at third base for close to 2 full seasons now, covering 223 total games.

But it’s well-past time to call it:  he hasn’t been very good.

I admire his story, his heart, and his effort… but those things can only go so far on the field of play.  On top of that, he’s now 32 years old and not likely to improve from here.

Since 2016 started, there are 35 third basemen with 400+ plate appearance… roughly 2/3rds of the amount needed to qualify for a batting title.

Garcia’s ranks during that time…

• 33rd in fWAR (0.5)
• Tied for 35th in OBP
• 35th in OPS… and in fangraphs’ overall offensive rating score
• 5th worst in errors committed (3 behind Kyle Seager, though Garcia has about 20% fewer innings at the position… so he’s really the worst here, too.

While he is truly mashing lefty pitching (.333/.333/.583/.917 this season), his record is abysmal vs. RHP… a .578 OPS.  Unfortunately, there’s a lot more RH pitching than otherwise (117 PA’s vs. just 12 against southpaws).

So basically Adonis Garcia is the worst third baseman in baseball.  Admitting the problem is the first step toward a cure.

So if there is therefore any position that is obviously due for a shakeup or upgrade – this is it.

But is the answer Rio Ruiz?  2017 represents his second go at AAA, and frankly, if the organization believes that he’s a good long-term answer to the position, he’d already be in the majors… for the obvious reasons noted above.

After hitting .271 in AAA for 2016, he’s currently sitting at .250/.303/.429/.732 with Gwinnett.  3 homers, 13 RBI, and a 26% K-rate.  Honestly… Garcia’s numbers are actually a bit better.

A Hot Tip

This doesn’t happen often, but I noticed a trade possibility on twitter today that actually makes sense.

Credit does indeed go to another on this idea, but I’m willing to repeat this and sign on, for it truly looks like a match that could work between the Braves and Cubs.  Here goes:

Chip Carey didn’t know much about this kid and neither did I, so here’s the skinny:

• Jeimer Candelario is 23½ years old from the Dominican Republic, signed in 2010.
• Just called up to join the Cubs for their Colorado double-header, but could stick around a while (they just lost Matt Szczur to the Pades via trade)
• 6’1″/210 third baseman, switch hitter
• Hit .333 at Iowa in 2016, .340 so far this season.  Slugging over .550 combined (13 homers and 40 other XBH in 424 AAA PAs, 76 RBI)
• He talks his walks (~13%) while striking out (~19%) at an acceptable level
• Roughly average defender
• MLB Pipeline ranks:  #4 Cub prospect, 87th overall prospect in MLB, #5 third baseman
• Can also handle first base in a pinch

The better 3B prospects today?  Rafael Devers, Nick Senzel, Vlad Guerrero Jr, and Christian Arroyo.  None of them are going anywhere.

But the Cubs, of course, have this franchise-level kid named Kris Bryant to play third base, who is still just 25 years old himself.  If that doesn’t work out for them, then Javier Baez is his backup.