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.