Fansided

Atlanta Braves injuries mount as trade deadline approaches

By Fred Owens |
Juggling three lemons is easy compared to the juggling Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has ahead of him in the next 96 hours. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Storey/North Six Group)
Juggling three lemons is easy compared to the juggling Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has ahead of him in the next 96 hours. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Storey/North Six Group)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves is looked at after getting hit in the hand by a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 26, 2019. The Braves won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves is looked at after getting hit in the hand by a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 26, 2019. The Braves won 9-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

When a baseball collided with the wrist of Atlanta Braves right-fielder Markakis, it ignited four-run inning when nine batters came to the plate. It also created an additional trade deadline problem for GM Alex Anthopoulos.

As Daniel wrote earlier, most immediately knew Markakis’ injury could end his season.  Not having Markakis available created a situation Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker had never faced.

In every game last season and all but six of the 34 different lineups used this season, he penciled-in Nick Markakis hitting either fourth or fifth. He can’t do that today or for the foreseeable future.

With just over eight weeks left in the season, this ends Markakis’s 2019 campaign.

After Friday’s game, Markakis had a .284/.358/.429/.787 line, hit nine home runs, 22 doubles, and two triples.

Statcast says he hit in some bad luck, but according to Fangraphs, his .336 wOBA and 105 wRC+sits just above the league average of .318 wOBA and 94 wRC+.

His 2018 Gold Glove aside, Markakis ties Nicholas Castellanos and Nomar Mazara at – 6 DRS, ranked #17 of 23 right fielders with 400 innings. UZR places him #22 ahead of only Charlie Blackmon

Matt Joyce, Austin Riley, and Charlie Culberson are Snitker’s existing outfield options. None are an everyday choice for the skipper; Joyce and Culberson perform best off the bench, and Riley’s struggling badly at the plate.

Freddie Freeman’s words highlight Markakis’ leadership as the potentially biggest loss to the team:

Markakis’ statement exemplified the quality Freeman highlighted:

While the Braves can’t replace his gravitas, they must find someone who provides solid defense and hopefully, better production.

The Braves will evaluate Duvall over the next two days while searching for options to backfill the roster.

What to expect from Duvall

Most remember Duvall’s acquisition and subsequent slump last year.  The Braves knew Duvall struggled early in 2018 but hoped he’d regain some of his past form with help from Kevin Seitzer and by playing more frequently. That didn’t materialize, but the Braves tendered him a $2.9M contract and stashed him at Gwinnett.

Duvall’s been a key part of the Stripers lineup this season, posting a .259/.349/.582/.931 line that includes 29 homers, 19 doubles, and three triples gives him a 119 OPS+. His R/L split remain wide, but he’s been better against RHP than in the past.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

The best the Atlanta Braves should expect at the plate is the 2016 version of Adam Duvall – .241/.297/.498/.795, a (prorated) dozen homers and 105 wRC+.  Defensively, though, Duvall’s been a superior left fielder.

If he does that the Braves on-field production should be close to the that of Markakis with better defense, although it will mean flipping Ronald Acuna Jr. to right field.

They must fill Duvall’s role as backup outfielder, just in case something else happens, or Austin Riley doesn’t get his act together. Who might do that requires a look at available outfielders.

Alex Anthopoulos’ preferred acquisitions play solid defense as well as show consistent offense. These deals always force a rent or buy option; should the team reduce the cost and rent a potential free agent, and if they like his performance, attempt to sign him after the season, or trade for a longer-term asset now. The answer depends on the player and his price.

Here’s a look at ten players, five in each category.

The Atlanta Braves might consider Yasiel Puig as a postseason roster addition following the injury to Nick Markakis. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves might consider Yasiel Puig as a postseason roster addition following the injury to Nick Markakis. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Five rentals the Atlanta Braves may consider

Most players on one-year deals are probably available. All of the names have appeal in various ways.

Nicholas Castellanos: The Tigers would trade Castellanos, and the Braves name came up in rumors last winter and this summer. His bat leads reasons to trade for him; he’s currently hitting .279/.335/.471/.805 with 36 doubles and 11 homers, .338 wOBA and 111. The numbers, including defense, look a lot like the hot version of Markakis.

More from Tomahawk Take

Corey Dickerson offers the LHH platoon for Duvall or Riley with solid defensive numbers in left field last year. He’s out with a groin strain right now and missed time early in the year.

David Peralta:  Peralta’s had another big year for the Snakes, and they’ve decided they’ll trade their 31-year-old LHH outfielder.

Peralta broke out in 2018, posting a .293/.352/.516/.868 line with 30 homers, and 25 doubles. He backed that up this season, by batting .284/.347/.468/.815, but with only nine homers so far.

That line and his .341 wOBA and 108 wRC+ reflect season his average season.

He’s played more left field this season – his arm fits better there – and turned in a respectable 4 DRS/4.9 UZR. Much like Dickerson, he’s a platoon bat only as shown by the difference between his .908 OPS against RHP and his .593 OPS against lefties. I originally had Adam Jones in this spot, but even with his split, Peralta’s a better choice.

Hunter Pence is a great story; after disappearing as a useful hitter in 2018, he spent the winter completely rebuilding his swing and playing winter ball to perfect it. His hard work paid off as he’s batting .291/.345/.564 for Texas with a .375 wOBA and 129 wRC+.

Pence played some right field for the Rangers but spent most of the time as their DH.  He’s been through the postseason wars and inspired the Giants during their last World Series.

Yasiel Puig: I’m well aware that many fans don’t love Puig’s LA persona, but I urge you to put that aside and consider the 2019 version of the Wild Horse. After a cold start to the year – new team, new town, no friends – Puig’s been dangerous at the plate.

Since June 1, he’s batted .317/.366/.621/.987, hit 12 homers, 11 doubles, and a triple while posting a .405 wOBA and 150 wRC+.  With the Dodgers Puig had a bad R/L split, in Cincinnati that split’s virtually vanished.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

He’s hit well in postseason play hitting to a .282/.351/.429/.780 line with five homers in 202 PA.

Puig’s an above average right fielder with a cannon for an arm. Runners don’t take extra bases on him.

He’s playing for a contract and left most of the drama in LA. He’d like nothing more than beating the Dodgers.

Someone on Twitter a couple of days ago (Sorry, can’t find the tweet) put things in perspective: Today’s Puig isn’t crazy, just weird.

[Ed. note:  this is probably it… and it’s legit ]

The Atlanta Braves might look to acquire Hunter Renfroe – seen here hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium – to reinforce their roster for the postseason. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images). (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves might look to acquire Hunter Renfroe – seen here hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium – to reinforce their roster for the postseason. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images). (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Five controllable – more expensive options

Several controllable pieces are known available or could also hit the market. These players have option years and larger contracts which would require the Atlanta Braves to accept more money and give up talent.

Trey Mancini: Mancini having a fine year for the Orioles, batting .283/.343/.541/.884, with 24 homers, a .364 wOBA and 129 wRC+. He’s first-time arb-eligible in 2020 and under team control through 2023. All of those things make him a prospect intensive option.

Starling Marte:  Marte’s in the final year of his contract, but the Pirates have two, relatively inexpensive option years.

At 30-years-old, Marte’s having his best year since 2014,  batting .284/.325/.499/.823, with 17 homers, a .342 wOBA and 113 wRC+.

The Pirates haven’t indicated they’d move him, but a good pitching prospect, Ender Inciarte, and a third body might convince them to shed the payroll and make the deal.

Domingo Santana:  Santana had three very good offensive years for the Brewers before being sent to Seattle because they had no room for him.

The big right-handed hitter has a .273/.342/.472/.814 line. .343 wOBA and 119 wRC+. Santana’s not a defensive wizard; you’re buying a bat if you trade for Santana.

Franmil Reyes:  The Padres overstocked outfield needs slimming down, and Reyes’ name came up in various trade proposals over the last month.

Reyes has BIG power and boasts a .252/.313/.531/.844 line, a .346 wOBA and 116 wRC+ with 26 homers in 304 PA this season.

His 34.7% HR/FB rate ranks #1 in MLB and his  47.3% hard contact rate is #16. Like Santana, Reyes bat carries him, but it will carry him a long way.

Hunter Renfroe:  Renfroe splits time with Reyes in the crowded Padres right field and posts remarkably similar numbers.

So far he’s batting .243/.304/.570/.874, with a .354 wOBA, 121 wRC+, 28 homers in 479 PA. His 49.3% hard contact rate ranks sixth in baseball, and his 26.9 HR/FB rate ranks eighth

Defensively he’s a much better option than Reyes, Santana or Marte and his 60-grade arm is better than all options named today, with the possible exception of Puig.

He does have a platoon split, but it isn’t awful, and he hits both with considerable power.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Others you might consider, include Alex Gordon, Jorge Soler, Kole Calhoun, and Nomar Marza

That’s a wrap

Duvall started in left field for the Atlanta Braves when he arrived, with Acuna moving to right (and Riley getting a long break).

This added ball in Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos’ juggling act requires some quick decisions. Regardless of how well Duvall plays, Riley’s recent ineptitude dictates they add protection for the postseason.

They can’t wait until the last day to start looking for a deal, so preliminary discussions are likely underway now regardless of how well Duvall plays. The least likely pickup – barring some kind of package for a closer and an outfielder – is a less expensive rental like Puig or Pence.

Ideally, a right-handed bat who doesn’t flail helplessly against same-sided pitching appears the most logical, but something like a Dickerson platoon could work too. Dansby Swanson’s move to the 10-day IL compounds the GM’s problem.

Next. Can I have that to go?. dark

If Camargo is under consideration as a trade piece, there’s a need to grab a backup who they can stash in AAA until September like Alcides Escobar. At the same time, he’s presumably pursuing a couple of bullpen pieces (KC traded Jake Diekman to Oakland, so we missed that one) and another starter to improve the Atlanta Braves pitching staff.

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