House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: who are the sellers?

By Alan Carpenter

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres reacts to striking out Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a game at PETCO Park on July 13, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants shakes hands with Buster Posey #28 after they won their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on June 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants shakes hands with Buster Posey #28 after they won their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on June 28, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

  • 44-49 / 3.5 games out of the Wild Card
  • SCHEDULE TO END OF MONTH:
    • @Cardinals (2), Phillies (3), Cardinals (4), @Mets (3), @Reds (3)

The Pirates have not seen the Phillies or Mets, and this could be a great time to play them.  They are taken 7 of 10 games against the Reds and have played the Cardinals more-or-less even.

The idea that the Pirates might ‘sell’ has not really been encouraged in the media thus far, and if any team among this group might be able to make a run, it could be these guys.

Still, the way the Pirates have been working the trade deadline in recent years, there could be precious little activity either way.  So anyone coveting their closer Felipe Vazquez should probably throw that idea out and draw another name from the hat.

VERDICT:  Pittsburgh might be in the race, but also might not do much at the deadline regardless.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

  • 45-49 / 3 games out of the Wild Card
  • SCHEDULE TO END OF MONTH:
    • @Rockies (2), Mets (4), Cubs (3), @Padres (3), @Phillies (2 of 3)

This is the confounding team of the semi-contenders.  The Giants have won 3 straight and 8 of their last 10 to just back into a conversation that they honestly have no business participating in.

Despite blowing out the Rockies on Monday – and winning twice – their run differential is still -45 on the year.  That’s more like what they are… and with Evan Longoria now hurt, their cause isn’t going to be helped.

The Giants could win another 8 of their next 10 – and they actually could, given the schedule – and they would still need to sell at the end of month.

The Giants have multiple problems:  a bad farm, multiple bad (or at least heavy-hanging) contracts, and players who are bona fide trade chips who they must trade this month.

Not much changes this – even a 10-game win streak.  It’s truly unsustainable and it’s a terrible situation for their GM to be in.

Farhan Zaidi would almost certainly prefer this team to have been 7… 8.. more games out of the Wild Card race right now, for “selling” would be much easier to explain to everyone.

VERDICT:  Zaidi really doesn’t have a choice… he’s got to deal Bumgarner, Smith, and more.

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