Atlanta Braves and Oakland: Is there a deal for an outfielder possible

Atlanta Braves and Oakland: is there a deal for an outfielder possible?

Dec 30, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Stephen Piscotty #25 of the Oakland Athletics hits a double against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on September 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

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Would the Atlanta Braves trade Max Fried to fill an outfield vacancy? (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves need an outfielder. That’s not news, and lots of suggestions float around the blogosphere every day. One of our readers had an idea worthy of further discussion, so I thought I’d present the details so we can do that.

One of our frequent commenters here – Mark Delgado – suggested the following trade. The Oakland Athletics would get Max Fried, and I assume a player to be determined. In return, the Atlanta Braves would get outfielder Ramon Laureano and minor league reliever Kyle Finnegan.

I’m very high on Fried, but I’m not married to him, and Touki Toussaint fills almost the same role though he’s a RHP while Max slings it from the left side.

Initially, I wondered about the parties involved. Most trades I see discuss Major League players or well-known prospects, but Mark digs into the minors more than most and comes up with players that require research, so I had to go looking for information.

As I investigated the players involved, I decided Finnegan looked like a lottery ticket reliever who needs a new home and worth a shot. Looking at Laureano, I soon understood why Mark likes him so much.