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Atlanta Braves have about 20 more hours to make another trade deal

By Alan Carpenter|
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: General Manager of the New York Yankees Brian Cashman looks on during batting practice prior to Game Seven of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 21: General Manager of the New York Yankees Brian Cashman looks on during batting practice prior to Game Seven of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The rumors are still thin, but the pace of talks – and trades – has definitely ramped up in the past couple of days.  We’re now in crunch time.

Who is moving and who is staying?  The Atlanta Braves are definitely trying to make a play before the non-waiver trade deadline hits on Tuesday at 4pm EDT.  Let’s take a look around the league to see where the rumblings are coming from at this hour.

Just how busy is Alex Anthopoulos right now?

Even as there was a huge contingent of Braves’ brass up in Cooperstown this weekend, a trade for Brad Brach was completed.  But that’s not the only thing going on… at least that’s the thought of all concerned:

Even with all of this going on, Atlanta is set to do a series of promotions for top prospects… more on this later, but let’s hit the rumor circuits:

Chris Archer

In truth, this is pretty much all about Chris Archer – he stands as the only starting pitcher of significance that’s still available.  Now that Manny Machado has ceded the title of Human Rumor Mill, it seems that Archer has picked it up that mantle.

The Rays have seemingly crossed a line here – the trade chatter is such that Archer himself is being negatively affected.  With that point being reached, I have to believe that he will be traded by the deadline (though that’s far from a universal opinion).  The question is ‘where’?

The rumors on Archer – all of these coming within the past day:

  • Jim Bowden thinks the Yankees are in the lead.
  • Jim Bowden also reports that the Padres ‘have a “huge offer” on the table’ for Archer.
    • I think Jim Bowden may have some issues
  • Jon Heyman thinks the Yankees are “not likely” to get him… though he has noted that the Rays scouts have checked on Justus Sheffield.
  • The Yankees just sent Adam Warren to Seattle to make some extra luxury tax space

    • Do it sound like the Yankees are making the most noise here?  Yeah, me too – Brian Cashman is pulling everyone’s strings and controlling the entire market.  That’s why he’s smiling so smugly.

    Except that the Yankees have pulled another fast one in the last few minutes:

    Sherman went on to announce that the Yankees are sending 1B Tyler Austin with Luis Rijo, a low-A pitcher (unranked) to the Minnesota Twins.

    Does that eliminate the Yankees from Archer now?  Not necessarily.

    About the Braves

    So now there are these two recent reports:

    However, I also saw a report suggested that the Rays are willing to take this ‘auction’ down to the wire (that from a tweet I cannot locate – apologies).  Because of that… and the comment about about crossing the line from above… this definitely feels like a deal will be had.

    Now there’s this:

    "6:09pm: Despite some prior indications to the contrary, the Yankees remain involved in Archer’s market, per Andy Martino of SNY.tv (via Twitter). There are five additional clubs still involved as well, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports: the Padres, Braves, Brewers, and two unnamed organizations."

    In addition, the Rays have asked for final bids on their best starter (Marc Topkin source).  They’ve actually played this pretty well.

    The unnamed organizations could be the Cubs and Pirates.  Topkin also mentions the Dodgers as having the talent needed for a deal.  I do believe that Atlanta is heavily involved.

    Bottom Line

    More from Tomahawk Take

    The Yankees’ rotation is now the following:  Severino, Tanaka, Sabathia, Gray, Happ, Lance Lynn.  That’s 6 names.

    I believe that the Braves will have 2 options in the next several hours:

    Gray will be cheaper in terms of prospects since the Yankees almost have to trade him, and I would not discount this option at all.  However, I have to think the Atlanta preference lies with Archer.

    So if the Braves don’t get Archer, expect them to pick up Gray.

    Want to hear a crazy speculative idea?  Maybe Lynn was obtained to flip him to the Braves so that the Yankees could afford Archer.  Maybe Gray, too.

    Hey, if you’re gonna concoct a crazy idea, don’t just go half-crazy… go all the way.

    Given the prospects that San Diego has and their willingness to use them, though it is quite reasonable to think that the Padres gets Archer.

    We’ll see soon enough.

     

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