Atlanta Braves: 8 trade targets to replace Marcell Ozuna
The Atlanta Braves lost their left fielder and number three hitter last weekend. If the Braves want to win the division now, they have to find a replacement.
With Marcell Ozuna out of the picture, the Atlanta Braves are again searching for a bat to slot into the middle of the order. While Ozuna was in the groove, he had shown signs of finding his swing.
Even with Austin Riley finding his Chipper Jones-like swing, the lineup needs another bat with some thump. Internal options aren’t promising; Abraham Almonte isn’t the answer, and Drew Waters is still not ready for prime time, which means Alex Anthopoulos must try to find a deal, and it won’t be easy.
The minute the Ozuna news broke, every team with outfielders to trade raised their price. Any bat worth the name will require a top-level prospect; even lower-level players will cost more than they might have two weeks ago.
With that in mind, here’s a look at players I’ve seen mentioned if they’re available and what they might cost.
Mitch Haniger
After his breakout 2018 season, the idea of the Atlanta Braves acquiring Mitch Haniger became a hot topic here, and for good reason. Haniger batted .285/.366/.493/.859, hit 26 homers and posted 137 wRC+, a .367 wOBA, and 4.5 fWAR.
A series of injuries created a forgettable 2019 season for Haniger, and he didn’t play in 2020, but he’s back to his 2018 self so far this year.
He’s currently batting .261/.314/.542/.856, with 14 homers, 138 wRC+ and a .362 wOBA. While DRS says he’s having a down year defensively, he’s been a consistently good defender in the past, recording 7.7 UZR and 24 DRS in right field between 2017 and 2019
The right-handed-hitting 30-year old outfielder (turns 31 in December) earns just $3M this year and is under team control through 2022. The Mariners are currently 28-27, 2.5 games back in the AL West, and GM Jerry Dipoto must be going a bit crazy, as he hasn’t made a (real) trade since December.
The Mariners seem to have a glut of outfielders, and Haniger is the old man of the bunch, but he’s also the only one hitting well right now. Prying him away from a Mariners team that looks like challenging next year will require a good pitcher – Kyle Muller – and probably Waters.
The Atlanta Braves seeing Reds?
Last offseason, the Reds dumped salary like the ship was sinking, but they nonetheless held onto Nick Castellanos and he’s been destroying pitching all season to thank them. Castellanos is known for his power, but he’s a better hitter than many give him credit for.
He’s currently batting .356/.413/.638/.1.051 with 12 homers, a .447 wOBA and 183 wRC+. While his average will likely come down a little, his production will remain high; He has a strong arm, and his defense seems to have improved.
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The right-handed hitting 29-year-old earns what’s left of $16M this year and is on the books for another $16M in 2022 and $14M in 2023. However, his contract contains an opt-out clause for the end of this season.
The Atlanta Braves may not care if he opts out, but they might also offer him an incentive to stay by, for example, offering him a year’s extension.
The Reds started hot but are 5.5 games back now and facing injury issues that make it unlikely they’ll stay in the race. They’ll happily move Castellanos and he’ll almost certainly leave the downward trending Reds after the season.
Castellanos will come at a player cost as well as the big contract. I’d expect them to ask for multiple players, a shortstop or Langeliers or Waters.
Long Tall Texan
Okay, Joey Gallo is technically from Nevada, but he’s been the light-tower power in the Ranger lineup since 2017. Gallo comes with a 33% K-rate and 40 homers a year. He’s never going to hit for average or get on base at a record clip, but from 2017-2019 he was worth 120 wRC+ and .363 wOBA.
Gallo’s become an above-average defensive outfielder, and his arm is among the best around. He’s even played some center field and is comfortable at first base. He’s just 27-years old, earns what’s left of $6.3M this year, and has one year of team control remaining.
The Rangers need everything, with pitching and outfield at the top of the list. If the Atlanta Braves wanted to get creative, they might ask for Ian Kennedy to shore up the bullpen as well.
The package will depend on what Jon Daniels thinks he needs the most. Right now, that’s everything, but expect it to include a top-ten Braves prospect of some ilk.
Atlanta Braves bird call
Alex Anthopoulos seems to have a good relationship with Baltimore, and they have a player that fits the Braves’ needs. No, the Orioles will not trade Trey Mancini. Trading him would create a PR disaster for a team that has enough on its plate now.
Anthony Santander is 26-years old (27 in October) with three years of Major League service. In his first arbitration season, he’s a super-two player earning $2M, with three years of team control ahead.
Santander’s first full season came in 2019 when he batted .261/.297/.476/.773 with 20 homers in 405 PA. He hit well in the 2020 sprint to the finish but started this season slowly, batting just .196/.230/.321 before going on the IL for a month.
He returned on May 21 and is batting .341/.356/.568/.924 since his return. He’s a switch hitter with a relatively even career split, though he’s been better from the right side this year. Defensively he an above-average defender in right field who played left for Baltimore well in 2019.
A Marte but not that Marte
The Diamondbacks are 19-36 and not going anywhere this season. However, Ketel Marte’s stock continues to rise. Originally a second baseman, Marte converted to the outfield for Arizona and is solid – if not outstanding – in center.
At the plate, he’s been a consistently strong producer for the Snakes, batting .289/.354/.486/.841 with 53 homers, 118 wRC+, and a .355 wOBA since coming to Phoenix.
Marte’s batting .328/.370/.537/.907 on the season. He’s only played in 18 games after missing part of April with an injury and struggled a bit since returning, but is hitting .296/.367/.407/.774 over his last seven games.
A move to left field would improve his defense, and like Santander, he’d add a second switch-hitter to the Atlanta Braves lineup.
The 27-year old switch-hitter earns the remainder of $6.4M this year, $8.4M in 2022, and has team options for $11M in 2023 and $13M in 2024
Santander and Marte are the youngest outfielders with the most team control on the list. Those things would also make him the most expensive but might make giving up a prospect like Waters, who would have to be part of either deal, more palatable.
Boston to Atlanta via KC
Andrew Benintendi was the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft and projected as a perennial All-Star for the Sox. From 2016-2019 he batted .277/.354/.442/.796 with 51 homers, a .341 wOBA and 109 wRC+.
Something happened in 2019, and this perennially good corner outfielder was just average in 2019. As the Sox dismantled their team, he fell out of favor, and the Royals acquired him for Franchy Cordero and not much else, though they still owe Boston two players. Since arriving in KC, Benintendi’s batting .388/.347/.384/.731 with four homers, a .324 wOBA, and 106 wRC+.
I think Benintendi is due to a bounce-back season. His scouting numbers when drafted were as good as Waters though he wasn’t as fast. I don’t know whether the Royals would flip him for pitching, but I’d certainly ask.
Atlanta Braves’ less expensive options
Gregory Polanco batted .255/.324/.455/.779 and hit 56 homers for the Pirates from 2016 through 2018. He missed most of 2019 after a shoulder injury and, like many, struggled in 2020. He’s batting .221/.296/.386/.672 with five homers.
If he can find his power stroke – and a move out of Pittsburgh might help – he’d be a useful addition and a solid defender in left. In the final guaranteed year of his contract, Polanco earns the remainder of $11.6M; the contract has two option years at $12.5M and $13.5M.
Tiger left fielder Robbie Grossman is a 31-year old switch-hitter who’s been a fourth-outfielder most of his career with Minnesota and Oakland.
He signed a two-year, $10M deal with Detroit this year, and playing regularly this season, is batting .241/.362/.406 with six homers, 117 wRC+, and a .339 wOBA.
Neither team has a reason to hold on to either player for the long term, and offered a good return, would likely trade them with pitching and catching at the top of the list.
That’s a wrap
We’ll know soon whether the Atlanta Braves front office believes enough in the team to step up and add even though it will cost more than money.
dark. Next. Ending on a happy note
The Ozuna situation was a gut punch, even though he wasn’t hitting like we know he can. How the team reacts will tell us a lot about the future.