Atlanta Braves could have a big shortstop decision this Winter

Scenario 1

• SS – Swanson
• 3B – Camargo

If either of these falter badly, Riley comes up to play 3rd base, and the better of the incumbents plays shortstop.

A sub-scenario could be that the Braves fail to re-sign Nick Markakis and need to add an outfielder.  Riley could be tapped to play right field – though there is no record of him doing so in the minors at this point.

Or… if you believe Riley is ready and ready as a third baseman, then who’s out?  It could be Swanson.

Scenario 2

This is the more interesting one…

• SS – Camargo
• 3B – Machado (I am convinced that the Braves would not sign Machado as a shortstop)

That makes for a great lineup… but it also makes Swanson and Riley expendable to the trade market.

Any way you slice it, a pursuit of Machado makes the Braves a better team, but getting him also creates ‘excess parts’.  You could certainly use both as centerpieces for a trade to a team seeking to rebuild.  You could continue to stash Riley at AAA as a hot backup option should an injury occur.

Another possibility:  Camargo roams around the field as needed and is the late-replacement bench bat guy that was envisioned 8 months ago while Swanson stays at short.  That may not be the optimal solution, but it’s another possibility.

More from Tomahawk Take

• Braves News: New Year’s Eve comes with several questions about the 2023 Braves
• Braves News: How the Braves got their name, mailbag, more
• Atlanta Braves Mailbag: New Year’s Edition
• Braves News: Atlanta makes a pair of trades, prospect debuts, more
• Atlanta Braves History: How the Red Stockings became the Braves

Oh Dansby Boy

In either scenario – whether you acquire Manny Machado or not – it is reasonable to draw lines that point to Dansby Swanson being the odd-man out as early as the Spring of 2019.

That may not end up being the case, of course.  “Back in my day”, shortstops didn’t need to hit very much – they just needed to be a defensive backbone of the infield.  Swanson is clearly doing that.

Is that enough here in 2018… soon to be 2019?

If you have a capable defender available (Camargo) who can hit too, then why not have both?  I’m sure the Braves are glancing across the diamond at Trevor Story and thinking along those same lines.

Right now, this scenario isn’t happening because you have no immediately-ready alternative at third base.  Come next February, that problem could be resolved… in multiple possible ways.

Mind you:  in no way am I suggesting that Swanson isn’t a charismatic gamer who is always situationally aware with everything he’s doing on the field.  But if he ends up not being the best fit in some combination of players… what’s the proper course of action?

I’m not sure of what the fan reaction would be if Dansby Swanson wasn’t on the roster after this Winter, but if he is moved… it better be for a good reason.