Atlanta Braves GM tells A-list members: A deal is close

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ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 5: Musician Bo Diddley performs onstage during the 2nd Annual Atlanta Heroes Awards presented by NARAS on June 5, 2003, in Atlanta, Georgia. Honorees included James Brown, Fred, and Diana Gretsch, Rozonda “Chili” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC. (Photo by Frank Mullen/Getty Images) /

Relief pitching

"Now come on take a walk with me, Arlene And tell me, who do you love? – Bo Diddley (1958)"

Anthopoulos said that January 14 was the first day they had any discussions with free agent relievers.

"We would rather fill a need from within than sign a FA pitcher we don’t love out of desperation."

The question becomes, who do they love? The market’s not thick with relievers to fall in love with these days. There’s a case that Kirby Yates deserves some admiration, as do Taylor Rogers and Drew Steckenrider. Their cost likely exceeds the value the Atlanta Braves put on them making them perhaps part of a deal for another need. That brings me to the critical quote of the get-together.

"“There’s one trade concept right now that 70% of the deal we would agree to, the 30% is probably where we are going back and forth. I don’t know if we are going to get it done, but the main piece of the deal I think we ultimately would be ok, it’s the add on”"

That predictably brought a slew of responses from Twitter, but what did he say?

Possibilities are many – facts are few.

Regardless of Mr. Mish’s seemingly endless tweets, the Atlanta Braves GM said that the catching market is quiet, and they haven’t talked with anyone recently about catching. So the deal isn’t about a catcher, and his words about relievers mean they, too, look to be off the table.

More from Tomahawk Take

A week ago I wrote that trading for Madison Bumgarner should be a priority and on January 13, Farhan Zaidi said the Giants were about to do something.

"“we’re hopeful to have an announcement on a signing or a trade here in the next couple of days,”."

Later he poured cold water on the idea of trading the big lefty.

"“We spent this offseason having to be realistic with where we are and being willing to listen on anything. But it doesn’t change the fact that Madison Bumgarner is a very central cog to this team. Nobody is making any outgoing calls on Madison Bumgarner.”"

Maybe the signing of Derek Holland was the move he meant, but Bumgarner is still a great fit and a trade that would require pieces. While Bumgarner has a useful bat as well, it’s not one the Braves could slot into the four-spot behind Freddie Freeman, and that’s the more pressing need.

Bats to consider

We’re talking about a trade, and if it is for a corner outfielder, the list of those worthy of a multi-piece deal are few.

Teams willing to move a corner outfield bat have an excess of outfielders or are in full rebuild mode. That narrows the field considerably. I came up with a quick – and short – list based on the trade being a major piece worthy of meaningful secondary pieces; Mitch Haniger, Eddie Rosario, Hunter Renfroe, and Kyle Tucker.

We’ve discussed Haniger to pieces this offseason. Jerry Dipoto’s said Haniger isn’t moving and if he were other teams would be in on him; so scratch Haniger.

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