House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves targeting a mystery player for a trade?

By Alan Carpenter

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 20: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run off of starting pitcher Andrew Cashner #54 of the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a game at Safeco Field on September 20, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 20: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run off of starting pitcher Andrew Cashner #54 of the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a game at Safeco Field on September 20, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: Yangervis Solarte #26 of the San Diego Padres makes a leaping throw to first base for an out after fielding a grounder barehanded against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning of a game at Coors Field on September 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: Yangervis Solarte #26 of the San Diego Padres makes a leaping throw to first base for an out after fielding a grounder barehanded against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning of a game at Coors Field on September 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

PADRES

With the odd trade of Chase Headley to San Diego (even the Padres were telling Headley that they weren’t necessarily getting him to play third base… or even to keep), the Friars have become a team to watch.

Who of their ranks is possibly available now?

  • Headley.  May as well start here, though this he doesn’t fit that ‘not publicly known about’ condition.  .273 in New York, 12 HR, .352 OBP, .758 OPS.
  • Yangervis Solarte.  Probably the odd man out on the infield.  .255 in 2017 with 18 HR, .731 OPS.  Age 30.  Average defender overall, but it seems that his worst work comes at third base.  Not sure how he’d be an upgrade over even Adonis Garcia, to be honest.
  • Cory Spangenberg.  Currently listed #1 on the San Diego depth chart for third base, but we may as well put him on the list, too.  He checks off the ‘under the radar’ box, but doesn’t really inspire otherwise.  In his 271 game/949 PA career, he has hit .266, OPS’d .725 hit 20 HR, and generally been a poor defender.

UPDATE:  this from MLBTR…

8:50pm: San Diego’s “working very hard” to trade Headley, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, though he doesn’t specify whether the Angels are involved (Twitter link).

7:56pm: The Angels are close to acquiring a third baseman, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (Twitter link). They have “strong interest” in new Padres third baseman Chase Headley, Nightengale adds.

REDS

  • Seeing some twitter discussion about LFer Adam Duvall tonight.  If he’s available, that would be a bit surprising for a number of reasons – including the fact that he’s still a pre-arbitration player (at 29 years old).

Duvall has slugged 64 homers in the past 2 seasons with 4.7 total fWAR – along with better-than-average defense.  Of note:  36 of those homers have happened away from the Great American band box.  In fact, his OPS has been higher on the road, too.  Hit hitting in general (in the .240’s) isn’t exciting, but his bat seems real enough.

Regardless, the Braves still have plenty of outfielders themselves, so there would likely have to be some movement on that front before pursuit of another… unless perhaps that player’s name was ‘Yelich’.

Also to think about:  The Reds are willing to trade speedy CF Billy Hamilton somewhere.  The Giants are in pursuit, but they’re playing poker with a none-of-a-kind hand, since their farm is in such horrid shape.  So whoever ends up with Hamilton might need to flip another outfielder elsewhere… perhaps before they fully engage Cincy.

RED SOX

  • This fails on the ‘public’ name part, but Jackie Bradley Jr. is available via trade.  He’s going to be 28 just after the next season begins, and is 1st year arbitration eligible.

He’s been up and down, but it seems his ‘floor’ performance is around 2.5 fWAR while providing excellent defense.

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