Atlanta Braves: Hey Diamondbacks, can you help us?

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PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 22: Left fielder David Perralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks chases down a fly ball against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Chase Field on September 22, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

With A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin free agents and Paul Goldschmidt heading towards free agency after next season (and might be on the trading block), the Diamondbacks are staring a rebuild square in the face. What assets do they have that might interest the Atlanta Braves?

There are two teams who seem to have conceded they need to rebuild their organization this offseason: the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Alex Anthopolous has stated numerous times the trade route is the Atlanta Braves most likely avenue to addressing the needs and wants of the big league club.

The needs have been stated by Anthopolous as right field and catcher, while the wants are a frontline starting pitcher, a closer and bench help.

Benjamin wrote a few weeks a back about how the Mariners and Braves match up.

So let’s take a look at who on the Diamondbacks roster could fit with the Braves.

The Needs

Since Anthopolous took over a year ago, the emphasis has been on upgrading the defense to alleviate the stress on a young pitching staff.

Arizona’s David Peralta, who played 137 of his 143 games in left field, was 16th in total runs saved last year according to FanGraphs. To provide context, Ender Inciarte was fifth, Ronald Acuna 26th and Nick Markakis 31st.

In UZR and RZR, Peralta was 26th and 47th, respectively.

From a defensive perspective, it’s not a significant upgrade over Markakis. But when you factor in Peralta’s offense, then it provides a clear improvement. Peralta hit a career-high 30 homers last year while slashing .293/.352/.516.

Depending on who is added to catch, Peralta could slide perfectly to the middle of the Braves order next year, who is headed into his second year of arbitration.

It would seem like a trade package for Peralta would not be insanely rich. The high-end pitching prospects would be off the table, but one of the next tier of arms (think a Bryce Wilson-type) could headline a deal.

Addressing the catching situation is the other need for the Braves and that position certainly won’t be addressed with Arizona.

If the Braves were looking for a platoon partner with Tyler Flowers, then perhaps Alex Avila would fit, but indications suggest Anthopolous wants a more impact player at that position.

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