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Atlanta Braves among those ‘seriously’ interested in INF Nunez

By Alan Carpenter

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 25: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox signs autographs before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on August 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 25: Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox signs autographs before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on August 25, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 23: Second baseman Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox fields a ground ball hit by Giovanny Urshela #39 of the Cleveland Indians during the third inning at Progressive Field on August 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 23: Second baseman Eduardo Nunez #36 of the Boston Red Sox fields a ground ball hit by Giovanny Urshela #39 of the Cleveland Indians during the third inning at Progressive Field on August 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Why He Might Pick Atlanta

Nunez will be 31 in June and reached the majors with his original team – the Yankees – in 2010.  He’s generally been a role player, and once leaving New York has bounced around a bit:  Twins (2014-16), Giants (2016-17), and Boston (2017).

He has hit well and even slugged a bit, actually with improving statlines as he has continued.

But in the majors, Nunez has played:

  • 2B – 359 innings
  • 3B – 1857 innings
  • SS – 2091 innings
  • LF – 283 innings
  • RF – 39 innings

This actually makes him a perfect fit for the Braves… if that moving-around-thing appeals to him.

Initially, the Braves would see Nunez as a third baseman… which frees up Johan Camargo to play the super-utility role.  But then there’s that flexibility thing:  he could play some in left field with Camargo going to third base.

Howeverm there’s a reason that I listed him as an INF in the title above…

If Dansby Swanson starts to struggle again at the plate… either Nunez or Camargo could take over at shortstop.  You’ll note that SS is the position in which Nunez has the most innings.  It’s at least something to think about… and that’s why Atlanta as a suitor makes sense.

Regardless, in Georgia, Nunez could find himself in a hitters park with a lot of playing time available to him.  That might not be the case elsewhere.

The Red Sox?  Sure – they’d put him at second base… until Dustin Pedroia returns.  Then his playing time gets curtailed by quite a bit.

The Rays?  They have a huge Evan-Longoria-shaped hole at third base, but do they have the money to spend?  And would he want to face that NL East pitching (nearly) every night?

The Yankees?  They still need a starting pitcher more than anything else… and are projected to be $21 million under the luxury tax threshold that they’re insistent on beating this season.

Why He Might Go Elsewhere

More from Tomahawk Take

While I do think the Braves may be serious, the money is what will talk here… and if the Braves don’t pony up, he still could end up elsewhere.

There’s also the lure of jewelry.  If he picks wisely, it is reasonable to think he could end up with a World Series ring from either New York or Boston.  Even bench time is easier to take when your club is winning more often than not.

Would he get a second year from any of these “interested” teams?  Not likely.  Not when Manny Machado‘s shadow from a year in the future is already looming.  Not if these teams – Boston included – aren’t seeing Nunez as an everyday option.

So while there might be ‘winning’ offers on his table… there may not be a better opportunity to play except for Atlanta.

Next: Mulling Over the Signs of a Fastball

So does this happen?  At this stage of the off-season, I’d rate this at 3 skillets on the 5-skillet hot stove scale:  better than average chances that Nunez gets to Orlando next week to join the Braves.

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