Atlanta Braves trade rumor update: All quiet for now
By Fred Owens
Third base of course
Well, it appears that Schoop played some third base in his early – make that very early – days with the Birds. According to his Baseball America scouting report, some scouts believed he could play the hot corner every day.
"(Schoop) has the arm and hands for any infield spot, and some club officials would argue he’s a better shortstop than Machado . . . he may outgrow the (second) . . . His bat should play anywhere, as he shows good bat speed and should have average power . . ."
His power did indeed arrive, and it fits at third base. Schoop cracked 25 home runs in 2016, 32 last season and 15 left the yard so far this year. His power shows up equally well on the road and at home so Schoop to Atlanta does make some sense, but not much.
Asdrubal Cabrera could do the same job as well and be acquired cheaper than Schoop whose price includes another year of arbitration control. Cabrera’s ability to hit from either side give him an edge at the plate too.
Before anyone goes nuts about my desire to move Johan Camargo, I’m not suggesting that. On the other hand, if they obtain a player like that Camargo could slide into left.
If we’re looking for an everyday bat – that’s not what Anthopoulos said but I’ll play along – I’d rather just grab Adam Jones and slide him into left.
Starting Pitching
The Red Sox trade for Eovaldi saw contenders push the accelerator on their search for a starter. J.A. Happ may get a new home any minute now. I hope it isn’t with the Atlanta Braves, he seems to be the flavor of the month for pundits but I want something better.
The Twins are talking about almost everyone now, including old friend Ervin Santana. I’d be interested in their 30-year old righty, Kyle Gibson. Gibson features a 93 mph fourseam fastball and a sinker throw at around the same velocity, His slider checks in at 86 and every now and then he’ll break out a change and a curve.
Atlanta Braves
Gibson leans on his slider as an out pitch. It generates a 55% whiff rate and hitters post a puny .119 BA, .218 slugging% and just a .222 BABIP. average against it. He pairs that with his sinker and shows the others to good effect. This season he’s posted a 3.57 ERA while striking out about a man an inning.
The Tigers decided that Michael Fulmer and Nicholas Castellanos, are off the board barring an overpay. They didn’t say anything about righty starter Mike Fiers so I won’t either…. almost.
Fiers pitched against the Rangers and the Braves had a scout at the game. I suspect the scouts were there to check out two Rangers’ relievers, lefty Jake Diekman and righty closer Keone Kela.
The Padres seem to have gone Do-Do bird crazy in their quest to – for reasons known only to them, land Chris Archer midyear. I understand the Cubs, Phillies, and other contenders willingness to overpay, but JP Morosi indicates that the Friars willing to part with Pipelines #11, #36 and #40 prospects to land the Rays much hyped, underachieving right-hander. A.J Preller is a strange GM.
ed. note – If they really are making that offer, though, why isn’t this deal already done??