House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves trade rumors – the chatter is increasing

By Alan Carpenter

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the San Diego Padres crosses the plate after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning off starting pitcher Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the San Diego Padres crosses the plate after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning off starting pitcher Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Heath Hembree #37 and Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Heath Hembree #37 and Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

My Idea of a Strong Finish

O’Brien also chimed in with this opinion about the Braves:

Honestly, I don’t know where that pitcher is coming from, except via trade.  And a trade like that would – almost by definition – be a blockbuster.  So far this off-season, James Paxton is the only one who has been acquired via trade, and the free agent options are down to Dallas Keuchel alone.

But it’s still part of the chatter that’s suddenly picking up.

It’s seriously about time for teams to do whatever they’re going to do and for free agents to take the best offer they have in hand… or something.  Here’s what I believe the Braves could still get done:

  • Realmuto.  I suggested adding a bullpen arm in the same deal… that would help.
  • A.J. Pollock.  The farm system is still low on outfielders… and there’s a chance that Crisitian Pache might have to be dealt.  Many are talking about 1 year ‘Pillow’ contracts now, but it would not displease me to give him a 2-year-plus-option offer, especially since he would cost Atlanta a draft pick.
  • Craig Kimbrel.  I wrote this off a couple of months ago, but we’re truly getting to the point where this might be possible… and we do not want to see him in Philadelphia!  If there’s no ‘package’ deal for a reliever done elsewhere, then this could happen… and then the Braves would have a top-shelf bullpen.
  • A Frontline pitcher… I do actually like Keuchel for the Braves as an extreme groundball pitcher backed by defense.  If you’re concerned about costs, then flip Julio Teheran elsewhere (Houston?  Seattle?  San Diego?  Minnesota?).  Teheran would be in some demand.
    • He’s also a Qualifying Offer player, so getting both he and Pollock would be unlikely.

Final Thought

Just this reminder:  there are a bunch of pitching prospects at the upper levels of the minors that will start gathering dust almost immediately once play resumes in April.  The Braves are almost compelled to deal 1 or 2 of them.

So while there might be a prospect or 2… or 10… that you really like and want the Braves to keep, you’d better take a bitter pill of reality soon, for somebody has to be traded, and one of those somebodies could very well be one of your favs.

Next. Muller? Muller?. dark

Winter is still here, but an early thaw might be just around the bend.

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