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Offseason speculation: Blockbuster trades the Atlanta Braves should pursue

By Kyle Walter

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on July 29, 2019 in New York City. The U.S. Federal Reserve board will meet on Wednesday and it's been reported that they will lower interest rates for the first time in a decade. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on July 29, 2019 in New York City. The U.S. Federal Reserve board will meet on Wednesday and it's been reported that they will lower interest rates for the first time in a decade. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after the Red Sox defeat Baltimore Orioles 5-4 at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after the Red Sox defeat Baltimore Orioles 5-4 at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The one we all want to see

The hot topic this offseason has been whether Mookie Betts will be traded.  Many have speculated that the Atlanta Braves might make a move to acquire him.

Between the high prospect cost this would involve and the fact that Betts will be a free agent after just one more season, there is a lot of doubt that the Braves would make such a move. However, it is one I think the team should make.

Adding Betts to this young, talented roster would only increase the club’s chances of finally breaking out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the early 2000s. Betts is from the southeast – Nashville, Tennessee to be specific. Who knows?  Maybe he would want to resign if the Braves make a strong enough pitch.

Now, to the details. Obviously, a player of Betts’ caliber would require a sizeable prospect package even with only one year of control left. For this, I “proposed” a trade of Kyle Wright, Wilson Contreras, and Tucker Davidson for Betts.

According to the simulator site, the Braves would be receiving a value of 50 in Betts, and the Red Sox a value of 50.9 for the prospect package. It said that the trade would be accepted by both teams, which makes sense factoring in the limited control Betts has left.

On the Braves side, they are certainly giving up on some exciting prospects. Wright, while he struggled last year, has enormous potential. Contreras is an above average hitting catcher prospect, which are rare to find at the position.

However, Contreras struggled last year Shea Langiliers may in fact the better prospect of the two. Davidson is a decent enough player, but he is certainly more of a ‘throw-in’ for this deal. Do I love giving up on so much potential?  No. However, in order to gain MVP caliber players such as Betts, some sacrifices must be made.

Betts is the former MVP of the AL, and a World Series champion. Any team in the league could acquire him and instantly become better as a result. As he only has one remaining year of control, Betts’ value is probably at its lowest point (though still not really “low” by any means).

His career averages of .301 BA and .893 OPS are absolutely phenomenal. While not on the level of his 2018 season, his 2019 numbers of .295 BA, .915 OPS, 29 home runs, and 16 steals are well above average. If the Braves added him they would instantly become the division favorites, in my opinion.

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