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Atlanta Braves: if it isn’t Josh Donaldson in 2020, then who plays third base?

By Alan Carpenter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves runs after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Third baseman Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves runs after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 06, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 31: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves puts water on his face during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 31: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves puts water on his face during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

In-House Options

There are 2:  Johan Camargo and Austin Riley.  Both had odd seasons this year… and it’s hard to picture whether either will bounce back in a big way.

Camargo had a break-out 2018, but the lack of playing time ate away at him, and in under half 2018’s plate appearances, he hit .233 – down nearly 40 points.

His best role still might be as a super-utility guy, but I’m also certain he’d jump at the chance to start every day at third.  But would he be productive?  That’s an unknown.

Riley had a breakout… month.  After that, pitchers carved him up like a Halloween pumpkin.

Anecdotal comments seem to suggest that the Braves would prefer to give him some additional AAA time to work on swing adjustments to start 2020.

The Free Agents

Every one of the free-agents-to-be are aged 30+ except one:  Wilmer Flores (28).  And he might not be available since the DBacks hold a $6 million option on his services for 2020.

Here’s the list, via MLB Trade Rumors:

How many of these leap off the page and scream “sign me!”?  There are serious flaws with many – if not most – of these players.

In fact, it probably comes down to these 3:

  • Donaldson
  • Moustakas
  • Rendon

Rendon will require close to $30 million a year… and by ‘close” I don’t mean “29.9”… more like something on the north side of $30m.

Moustakas may not even be available, though Milwaukee has other needs and could use his budget line to help that.

Thus the field is narrow.

So what about a trade?

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