Atlanta Braves trade Matt Kemp in five player deal
By Fred Owens
Side effects
The obvious benefits of the transaction are clear but significant side effects are still possible. The Cardinals could sign Gonzalez for the league minimum and put his gold glove to work at first base where Matt Carpenter was a defensive disaster. That would free up money to sign Mike Moustakas to play third and fill that void.
The Braves might end up with more positive news as well. We know that right field now (I hope) belongs to Acuna and his strong right arm. That would send Markakis to left field, a place he should handle defensively.
Kakes, bat will likely decline again this year and a better option is preferable. We still need a starting third baseman too. I love what Camargo brings to the team as a utility man, but his bat simply isn’t good enough to hold down that spot every day.
It’s now possible to connect some dots and see a trade between the Braves and a team needing a starter – and potentially a utility man – whose roster currently holds both excess outfielders and potentially an excess third baseman who hit 20 homers and posted a .344 wOBA and 112 wRC+.
That’s A Wrap
I don’t see anyway a Braves fan can dislike this move – though I’m sure someone will enlighten me. The Braves needed to accomplish at least two things this offseason:
- Traded either Kemp or Nick Markakis or both
- Add a veteran starter or two
This trade does both without compromising payroll in 2019.
It also moves forward Anthopoulos’ stated goal of improving Atlanta Braves defense behind the young rotation and fills the 40 man roster.
For his next magic trick I’d like to see Markakis turn into Randal Grichuk, I wonder if that’s possible?