Atlanta Braves: What We Know After the Winter Meetings
Major League Talent on the Move
Even before the rumor at the Winter Meetings that the Braves could be listening to offers on Ender Inciarte and Mike Foltynewicz, we thought there was a chance the Braves may have to part with some major league talent this offseason.
There had already been a lot of talk about Inciarte being expendable for the Braves with Ronald Acuna having the ability to play center field.
#Braves GM Anthopoulos said teams have inquired about not just their many prospects but also major league players. He said he could envision a deal involving moving a big-league player(s).
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 10, 2018
As I pointed out in this article, moving Inciarte and putting Acuna in center makes zero sense to me. But apparently teams are asking about the three-time Gold Glove winner and the Atlanta Braves are listening.
Teams have also been asking about Ozzie Albies, but it sounds like those conversations didn’t go very far. It sounds like the Marlins asked about Ozzie in a trade for J.T. Realmuto — the Fish need to get real.
It is just a weird offseason where contending teams are hoping to cut payroll and still contend. So with that, they are looking for affordable major league talent in return.
I think that will be the biggest holdup in any trade for Corey Kluber, because the Cleveland Indians desperately want an outfielder. Again, it makes zero sense to me to trade Ender, but I can almost guarantee you that’s who Cleveland would want.
Again, I have complete trust in AA and think he will do what is best for this team in 2019 and beyond, but it sounds like he may have to get creative and move some major league players.