House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves’ trade deadline takeaways

By Alan Carpenter

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 26: Matt Kemp #27 and Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hug in the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 26, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 26: Matt Kemp #27 and Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hug in the dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 26, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 25: Kurt Suzuki #24 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run off of Andrew Chafin of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Chase Field on July 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the second home run of the game for Suzuki; (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 25: Kurt Suzuki #24 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run off of Andrew Chafin of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Chase Field on July 25, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the second home run of the game for Suzuki; (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Infield

It would actually be nice if the Braves were in the American League.  There – I said it.  Matt Adams would make a fine designated hitter.

Since that’s not going to happen, here’s the way I think the plan will go for the infield:

  • Freddie Freeman.  Back to first where he belongs – but applause for his play at third.
  • Brandon Phillips.  Thanks for coming by and bailing us out in 2017.  Just don’t sign up with the Mets, okay?
  • Adonis Garcia.  Sorry about the thumb.  Non-tender.
  • Micah Johnson.  Could be the final bench bat depending on his 2017 finish.
  • Matt Adams.  Traded somewhere, probably.  He’s worth tendering a contract and worth keeping on the bench, but this 1st/3rd thing with Freeman may have to end.
  • Sean Rodriguez.  Under contract.  Expect him to be the super utility guy unless someone falters.
  • Dansby Swanson.  3 singles in 11 AB so far with Gwinnett (plus 2 walks/2K).  He will be back in September, but may have to earn his ticket back to Atlanta to stay.  And it’s all about the slider.  The bet here is that the adjustment will be made successfully.
  • Ozzie Albies.  Expect him up in September.  Book it, but he might not be batting lead-off right away – a .332 OBP in AAA isn’t quite up to par for that role.
  • Johan Camargo.  Here’s the pleasant surprise.  His play to date quite possibly could save the Braves a trade this off-season.  The question will be this:  will there be a drop-off as the league starts to adjust to him?

You could argue that there already has been:  .158 over the past week.  But then the whole team has stunk offensively, so that may not be the best of measures.  Still: Camargo has obviously played well, and that might very well earn him the nod going into next season.

Catcher

  • THE PRESENT:  Flowers and Suzuki
  • THE FUTURE:  Flowers and Suzuki

They are pretty good right now, so why change?  Well, there’s one reason it could – that’s if Suzuki gets a free agent offer he can’t refuse.

Flowers has a contract option that the Braves would be foolish to not pick up.  Suzi does not, and he could parlay a nice 2017 into a bigger payday.

The backup options:  either free agent Jonathan Lucroy (traded today to the Rockies) or a rookie:  Kade Scivicque, who was just promoted to AAA within the past week.

Most likely, the Braves would prefer a veteran to help handle their young pitchers and then use Scivicque as the ‘hot backup’ at Gwinnett.  That could mean making a run at Lucroy, but others will be considering him strongly as well.

Alex Jackson – just promoted to AA – could also be a AAA candidate-in-waiting by next season.

So throwing an extra million at a 34½-year-old Hawaiian might not be a bad backup option for Flowers.

Bench Options

  • Matt Adams.  Noted earlier – back if not traded.  Where he plays?  That’s a point for debate, but let’s hope for a trade.
  • Danny Santana.  Arbitration year 1 next season.  Non-tender candidate, but could return.
  • Sean Rodriguez.  Noted earlier – will be back.
  • Micah Johnson.  Noted earlier – borderline.
  • Lane Adams.  On balance, I think he’s earned a look next year for the end of the bench.
  • Jace Peterson.  Probably in same AAA role he’s currently occupying.
Home/Braves News