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Braves: Cole Hamels effect on Josh Donaldson and roster construction

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 03: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after advancing to third base on a double by teammate Nick Markakis (not pictured) against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 03: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after advancing to third base on a double by teammate Nick Markakis (not pictured) against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning in game one of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Castellanos had a very productive 51 games with the Cubs. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Castellanos had a very productive 51 games with the Cubs. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Scenario #1


Needs: 3B, OF, middle-order bat

Hypothetical Budget: $150 million

Current Payroll Estimate: $136 million

Fake Money to Spend: $14 million

Notes: Mets suck!

Step 1- Sign left-handed starting pitcher.  CHECK. 

Step 2 –Sign a splashy outfield bat to offset the risks of Inciarte and the left field platoon.

Step 3 – Roll with in-house options at third base or sign Ryon Healy to a minor league contract.

Potential Targets: Nicholas Castellanos, Yasiel Puig, Marcell Ozuna, Domingo Santana, Corey Dickerson

All these guys provide serious pop. Domingo Santana was on a torrid pace last season with 18 homers before the All-Star break. Injuries derailed his second half, but just two yours ago he hit 30 homers with the Brewers.

Santana was non-tendered by the Mariners Monday and is going to provide someone a nice power/speed threat in the outfield. Why not the Braves?

Castellanos has a track record of being a poor fielder, but he has a career slugging percentage of .471. in 2017 he had 36 doubles, 26 homers, and led the league with 10 triples.

Last season with the lowly Tigers, Castellanos only mustered 11 homers in his first 100 games. He was traded to the Cubs where he was reinvigorated. He hit 16 homers in 212 ABs while slashing .321/.356/.646. You can overlook a few defensive miscues for numbers like that.

Yasiel Puig could be a ton of fun to watch when you mix him with Ronald Acuna Jr.and Ozzie Albies. He has the power/speed combo with a cannon of an arm. He should be around $10 million for one year.

Any of these guys would give the Braves great depth in the outfield and would work as insurance in case of an injury. Adding one of these impact bats might also open up the potential for a trade of Ender Inciarte.

It may seem like a stretch, but if the Braves are out of the Josh Donaldson sweepstakes, then these are value-impact bats that can fit into the Braves lineup.

Projected Money Spent: $10-15 million

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