Atlanta Braves should target this 3rd baseman in a trade

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May 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Jeimer Candelario (7) fields a ground ball during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

What Would He Cost?

That’s an interesting question, but the answer will depend on the Cubs’ needs near the trade deadline (or maybe sooner). However, I strongly suspect that the answer will be… pitching.

Among the Cubs’ starting corps, there is one fairly obvious weak link: Brett Anderson. He was already sporting an ERA over 8, and now he in on the 10-day DL with lower back issues. It’s hard to say how long that’s been bugging him, but he’s had 3 bad outings in 6 total starts this season,.

At the moment, the Cubbies are spot-starting replacements for Anderson. Dylan Floro got the task done well in Denver on Tuesday, but was also immediately sent back to Iowa where he was sporting a 5.08 ERA there, so that should be telling.

My suspicion is that the Cubs would ask for some rotation help now and future depth help for later. A fair deal for both sides might involve Jaime Garcia (under contract only for 2017) and Sean Newcomb, with the Braves also receiving an additional prospect from the Cubs in their 10-20 ranking range to balance the deal while Chicago also absorbs Garcia’s contract.

That’s fairly expensive from the Braves’ viewpoint, but with Newcomb, there is still some risk that he never becomes a major league rotation staple. But he is improving (2.97 ERA, and 41 K in 30 innings, but 15 walks too), so now might be a good time to move him… particu;arly with the additional minor league starting depth available.

More from Tomahawk Take

(Getting Victor Caratini back would be really helpful, but I seriously doubt that he’d be made available. I would definitely ask… but…)

Meanwhile…

The fate of Adonis Garcia in such a deal might be on the bench with Atlanta, where he’d actually be an upgrade, particularly against a lefty reliever. But Candelario would be able to step in immediately and represent a chance to improve the position for a few years.

For Austin Riley fans out there, please realize that he’s still in High-A ball and has some performance questions to work through before he can be tagged as the ‘future third baseman’. So whether that happens or not, the Braves truly need help as the position now and can’t afford to wait around to find out whether Riley will end up being “that guy”.

Timing

It is still early in the season for deals, but the Cubs are indeed scuffling – now 17 and 17 while falling back to fourth place in their division and losers of 6 in their last 10.

They could use a shot in the arm… and so could the Braves, for that matter, though getting Candelario would represent long-term help rather than a quick fix.

Since Jaime Garcia was acquired via trade and not signed as a veteran free agent, he can be traded literally at any moment of teams’ choosing, so there are no technical reasons for such a transaction to be held up until June 16 or July 31st or whenever.

Next: Acuna or Later...He's gonna hit'cha

But that’s one man’s idea… and one the seems to make all the sense in the world for both clubs. Well done, Mr. Hinson!

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