Atlanta Braves: The Pro’s of a Bumgarner Trade

Speak softly…

Let’s don’t forget that Bumgarner is a good hitter. He has hit 17 career home runs, which is the second most for any pitcher since the implementation of the DH in 1973. Only Carlos Zambrano has more. If the Braves were to acquire Bumgarner, Snitker could use him as a pinch hitter or leave him in to hit despite him planning on using a reliever the next inning. These things might not seem so big, but having an extra bench player late in a close game could be a huge benefit for the Braves.

Let’s keep adding

The Braves and Giants reportedly had talks last July based around Buster Posey. However, that was while Bobby Evans was serving as the Giants GM…..but Zaidi and Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos have a history as they both worked in the Dodgers Front office and both teamed up for last years Kemp-McCarthy, Culberson trade. Bottom line is these two teams should be well knowledgeable of what they would want from the other.

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Along with Bumgarner, there are a couple of other pieces that would intrigue me if I was Alex Anthopoulos that the Giants employ. I am one to believe the Braves need more bullpen help and luckily the Giants have a pair I would be interested in.

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Will Smith, from Newnan, GA, is a quality lefty option out of the pen who would provide great depth and experience down in the pen for the Braves. He is also scheduled to become a free agent after the season.

Tony Watson is another left-hander who even has previous closing experience from his days with the Pirates. He is a veteran who has produced his whole career so he should fit right in with the Braves if they were to try and get his services along with Bumgarner.

So…who could be leaving?

As far as trade proposals go, I will lay some out. Unfortunately, the Giants are probably not in a cost-saving mode so throwing in Smith or Watson to take on salary wouldn’t lessen the blow prospect wise. It also doesn’t help that neither one of them makes more than $3 million. Reports also state that the Giants want young pitching, which, guess what? That’s obviously what the Braves have a stockpile of.

So here goes a couple of trade proposals that I’m sure some will love and some will hate.

For Bumgarner alone-

Option 1- Bryse Wilson, Kolby Allard, and Joey Wentz

Option 2- Kyle Wright, Luis Gohara, and Huascar Ynoa

For Bumgarner/and either Relief Pitcher-

Option 1- Add Tristen Beck or Ynoa

Option 2- Add Patrick Weigel or CJ Alexander

I’m no General Manager but I think these are fair packages for a big-time starter that only has 1 year left on his current deal. Maybe the Atlanta Braves resign him after that 1 year or they take the draft pick and say thanks? Eventually, some prospects have to be flipped for something of value and I think the Braves should take a shot with Bumgarner.

So what do you think? Should the Atlanta Braves be after Bumgarner now that he’s hitting the market?