Atlanta Braves 3B: Top 10 Trade Targets to Track in 2020
By Seth Carter
More Yandy and Mike Brosseau
Yandy ended up blasting 14 homers in 307 at-bats for the Rays. Many believe he’s a breakout candidate for 2020 with 35+ homer potential.
The Rays, however, were using him as a leadoff hitter in the Wild Card game last year. They appreciate his ability to get on base. By the way, he hit two line-drive, opposite-field shots off Sean Manaea in that game.
If Yandy continues the growth he showed last season, the Braves may want to check in on the asking price. We have to remember, the Rays love their depth, but they also love compiling prospects. They are head and shoulders above the rest of the league in minor league depth. With Wander Franco on the verge of making his major league debut, I’m sure they are open to listening.
The Rays already have a very crowded outfield, corner infield, and DH situations. Here are the players in contention for playing time at all of those spots.
OF – Kevin Kiermaier, Austin Meadows, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Randy Arozarena, Jose Martinez, and Brian O’Grady
1B/3B – Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Daniel Robertson, Joey Wendle, Mike Brosseau, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Jose Martinez, Nate Lowe, and Brian O’Grady.
As you can see, they are going to have to make room for Wander Franco somehow. If they can restock their minor leagues by moving an expendable major league piece, the Rays will do it in a heart-beat.
Yandy may come with a higher asking price so it may be wise to check in on another player buried on the Rays’ depth chart.
4. Mike Brosseau
It’s unclear how much playing time will be available for Mike Brosseau in 2020. He is currently listed as fourth on the Rays depth chart at third base behind Diaz, Wendle, and Robertson.
Brosseau exceeded his rookie limits last season for the Rays and slashed .273/.319/.462 in just 50 games. He actually logged more games at second base than he did at third for Tampa in 2019.
Brosseau was signed as an amateur free agent in 2016 and had blossomed into a legitimate power hitter by the time he reached Triple-A. In 73 games with AAA-Durham, Brosseau slashed .304/.394/.567.
He blasted 21 doubles and 16 homers in just 270 at-bats. He’s not a proven major league commodity yet, but the big stage didn’t phase him last season.