The Braves are looking to upgrade their offense and have let other clubs know that they’re willing to trade from their recently bolstered stable of pitching prospects in order to acquire a bat, reports Jayson Stark of ESPN (via Twitter). According to Stark, Atlanta has asked other clubs about the availability of their young catchers.
It’s just one tweet, but there’s a lot to digest there. For one, it doesn’t seem that the Braves will act as strict sellers, as they did for much of the past offseason. Additionally, the Braves’ desire to add a young catcher is perhaps somewhat telling of the confidence they have in rocket-armed but offensively-challenged (to this point, at least) Christian Bethancourt.
Bethancourt has been tabbed as the Braves’ catcher of the future for quite some time, but he’s batted just .223/.248/.279 in 222 big league plate appearances in his young career. Still just 23 years old, Bethancourt’s been optioned back to Triple-A this season in favor of a more veteran combination of A.J. Pierzynski and Ryan Lavarnway. He’s hit well in he minors since his return, but the fact that the Braves are inquiring about young backstops has to at least call into question whether or not the restructured front office feels that Bethancourt’s bat can catch up to his vaunted arm.
As far as pitching prospects are concerned, the Braves are very suddenly in no short supply. The Braves seem likely to use a combination of Shelby Miller, Alex Wood and Julio Teheran at the front of their rotation for the foreseeable future, and they have a handful of MLB-ready arms to choose from for the remaining two spots. Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler and Manny Banuelos have all made starts for Atlanta this season, and any two of the three could be looked at as a rotation piece going forward. Further down the line are Max Fried and Lucas Sims, each of whom is recovering from injury. The Braves also picked up right-hander Touki Toussaint, the No. 16 overall pick from the 2014 draft, in a recent trade with the Diamondbacks. Fellow Class-A hurler Ricardo Sanchez, a high-ceiling arm in his own right, was acquired from the Angels this offseason.
Suffice it to say, the Braves have gone from an underwhelming farm system to one teeming with pitching prospects after an offseason of trades from new president of baseball operations John Hart. What the team lacks, however, is offense at a number of positions. In addition to the struggles of their catchers — a combined .237/.270/.357 batting line — left field has been an egregiously detriment to the club’s offensive output. Atlanta left fielders have combined to bat just .221/.284/.311 this season.
It seems unlikely that the Braves would move one of their talented young pitchers for a pure rental, so the expectation here is that any bat theoretically acquired by Atlanta would be under control beyond the 2015 season — perhaps beyond the 2016 campaign as well. Previous reports have indicated that the Braves inquired with the Brewers on Jonathan Lucroy’s availability, though most indications remain that the Brewers are unlikely to move him.
Can the buccos be a match? T Sanchez and Elias Diaz are in AAA.
I doubt either one is someone that the Braves would look at as a substantial upgrade from an offensive standpoint.
Their really aren’t alot of young controllable catchers that can offer any impact atm. Maybe you can get a little creative and go after Navarro + Pentecost in Toronto, use Navarro now to fill the void, while acquiring your catcher of the future in Pentecost. A third team would probably have to get involved to line up team needs and bigger pieces moving from all sides.
Braves new front office has done great job stockpiling young pitchers and shortstops that they can now use as trade bait to fill whatever missing offensive holes they need in the coming years. Kudos Hart & Coppolella.
Is this a possibility or a stretch? One of Alex Wood, Tehran, and Miller + a pitching prospect to the Pirates for a catching prospect (Diaz or Mcguire), Josh Bell, and Austin Meadows?
Meadows and Bell would look great with Atlanta in the outfield. Although Bell is playing 1B at the moment, I think he was drafted as an outfielder.
Braves wouldn’t trade Miller unless they were blown away. It’s too early to give up on Teheran, and I don’t see them getting rid of Wood. I think the Braves are very confident in their top three guys right now and I could only see them giving up MLB ready prospects now such as Foltynewicz, Banuelos, Perez, etc.
I think if we get Bell and Meadows, we can pull the trigger on one of the three, 2 five tool, top 40 prospects.
ATL selling one of Teheran, Miller, Wood is a joke. Only deal I could imagine them even thinking about it is a package for Lucroy…and even then I doubt it knowing how much this FO values young, controllable high-upside arms. Agreed with only giving up MLB-ready arms. Williams Perez is auditioning for teams, just like Banuelos was getting some MLB experience, while showing evaluators why he once one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. Hart might not hit it out of the park on all of his acquisitions, but I can see him selling high on a few of these young guns.
But with other high upside pitchers in our system with Folty, Banuelos, Fried, Sanchez, and Jenkins. Like I said in my first comment, it is probably a stretch, but Meadows and Bell sure look nice.
Hart bashed the Braves when they drafted Wood. Said he wouldn’t hold up because his delivery and size
Stark has them willing to deal from their crop of prospects, not the current rotation. Plus, part of the goal of adding a catcher is improving the immediate offense, so I don’t think they’re looking at a long-term piece like Reese McGuire.
This screams one team to me. Yankees.
Austin Romine is hitting .284 at AAA and is behind John Ryan Murphy.
NYY sells low on Banuelos only for ATL to sell high on him. I hope we keep him.
Tigers should think about sending Holaday to Atlanta for a SP. McCann should not be going anywhere.
Another option could be Pentecost of the Blue Jays. He was born in GA and grew up here, I think..
Yup, went to Kennesaw St Univ. First rd pick.
So say if we only had to give up a prospect or two for him, developing a GA native for our catcher could be great.
First rd picks (under the same front office that picked him) will not come cheap. Many thought ARZ was crazy for giving up 1st rd pick (Touissant, 2014) for $9M – though he was picked by the previous GM. With that being said, TOR and AA will not be giving up Pentecost for just a pitcher or two. They’re in win-now mode, too. It’s going to take a nice, creative package to get a deal like that done. And even then, that’s really risky for such a young player. If ATL wants offense, catcher is not the ideal position to get it. Worry about your OF offensively and focus on a catcher that cost you some of your best young pitching prospects.
*that won’t cost you some of your best young pitching prospects
I’m a Jay’s fan, I can see them trading Pentecost; perhaps a little creativity by adding in OAK, PHILLY or Cinccy so the Jays can get their pitching.
Woot woot! Go KSU!
Hector Sanchez is at AAA for SF. .263 w/ 3 homers in 25 games so far. Andrew Susac is hitting well in the MLB, but he is the only consistent player on our bench right now. I think Sanchez for Mauricio Cabrera, who is at High-A for the Braves would be fair.
This screams Red Sox-they’ve said Blake Swihart is untouchable but the Red Soxs would be stupid not to try and get Touissant, Fried, and Banuelos for Swihart. Course there’d probably be other pieces and things interchanged but Red Sox need young cost controlled pitching. Atlanta needs a young cost controlled catcher.
So they won’t trade Swihart for Hamels, but they will for young pitching, some of which is currently hurt (Fried)? That makes no sense. Hamels has an affordable contract for his level of pitching and they have the money to spend. Also, Swihart hasn’t really wowed anyone during his limited time in the majors to warrant a package like that. Fried was the headliner of the J-Up deal, Touissant was bought for $9M and Banuelos was acquired for David Carpenter/Chasen Shreve. Give up all that for Blake Swihart…? I like the guy, but I don’t think he sticks as catcher long-term.
Swihart won’t stick at catcher long-term? I believe you’re on your own with that assessment. His defense is great.
The Red Sox wouldn’t take that. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this, but they have young pitching prospects. Currently they have Rodriguez in the MLB, Owens and Johnson in AAA, and some intriguing names in the lowers levels. They need an established starter, not more prospects. Miller and Wood make more sense for them.
Agreed, There is a short list of starters the Sox would consider if they are limiting their options to TOR with control. That list consists of Sale, Gray, Cole, Archer, Degrom, Harvey, Miller, Kluber, and Strasburg off the top of my head. I can’t fathom any of those players being traded, and the best bet would be Strasburg
Plus if the Braves acquire Swihart maybe the Red Sox can get Bethancourt in return.
Maybe
Swihart and Owens for Touissant, Wisler, Bethancourt.
The Red Sox most definitely wouldn’t take that. They would probably be close to laughing at it.
Agreed.. Nevermind the Red Sox laughing at it, I had a good chuckle myself.. Throwing Owens in is what made it a laugher.. Does the op realize that Owens is ranked the #14 prospect in all of baseball on mlb.com and Wisler was ranked #57? They were fairly close to start the year on Baseball America with Wisler ranked #34 and Owens ranked #44.. Swihart was ranked #17 and Touki Toussaint was #71.. I know if you flip 71 around you get 17 but that in no way makes them even close to equal..
Three team deal:
Braves get: Plawecki
Dodgers get: a starting pitcher
Mets get: Rollins
Thanks but no thanks tommets! I would make a deal with Braves, but for Rollins in return, no way. We don’t need a New York Knicks clubhouse at Citifield!
Seems like a lot for the Mets to give up for Rollins, no?
Yeah, maybe they can get Gomes or Callaspo or Guerrero, too.
I wanna see the dodgers the trade puig to the mets for syndergard and other prospects. Puig always has a high obp’s. Even thought sometimes he’s a knucklehead.
That’s interesting. Puig for Syndergaard and Matz would seem like an even deal. LA is taking on huge risks with two pitching prospects. NYM are giving up their 2 top arms not named Harvey or DeGrom for an AS position player under age 25.
No way that gets done under any circumstance. Front office wouldn’t go for it and neither would any of the fanbase. They’d be very reluctant to give up one of the two let alone both.
To tommet: You’re probably right but it’s still too light of a return for one of the best young OF in the MLB. Pitching prospects break, look at Zach Wheeler’s current value. DeGrom, Harvey, Thor and Matz are all untouchable and that’s why the Mets offense is so horrible.
No way Puig gets that much in return
Really like where you are going with that.. Hope you don’t mind if I throw my 2 cents in.. Syndergaard or Matz to the Dodgers, Plawecki to the Braves, Puig to the Mets, and one of Wisler/Banuelos/Foltynewicz to the Dodgers.. The Dodgers might even bite on Touki Toussaint..
I’m not sure I really see the point of Atlanta trying to upgrade at Catcher right now, by giving up what they’ve stockpiled. I’m fine w/ Catcher as it is now.
I’d like to see something a bit more solid in LF. I like the philosophy right now, low strikeouts, higher on base %, etc – so maybe someone who fits into that mold.
As much as I’d like to see it, I’m not sure the Braves can overtake the Nationals (they won’t win the WC) this year. Next year, probably so.
The main pt of the article is that they are looking to acquire a young catcher with years of control.
The Dodgers could be trade partners again if Hart wants a catcher who walks more than he K’s, with plus pitch framing, who’s MLB ready, and versatile enough to play 2B/3B too. LA could always move Austin Barnes. Barnes is pretty close to his September call up and the only real catcher in AAA so he may cost more than Atlanta is looking to pay. He’s a top 7 prospect for LA and top 10 MLB catching prospect. C/2B/3B Austin Barnes, switch hitting 2B/CF Darnell Sweeney, and a throw in like 2011 1st rounder, LHP Chris Reed (or 2013 1st rounder RHP Chris Anderson) for 2B Jose Peraza and SP Mike Folty? LA gets a 2B for the future and Atl gets two guys who can play multiple positions of need who are ready for the show. Would seem better for LA to just keep the versatile Barnes to replace AJ eventually.
Braves aren’t moving Peraza to Dodgers unless they get Joc in return
As a Braves fan, I don’t think the Braves will be looking to move Peraza at this time. He’s one of the few positional prospects that we have. We’ll definitely trade from our strength which is pitching but if Bethancourt is thrown into a deal I wouldn’t be surprised.
Milwaukee needs to deal Lucroy. He’s cost efficient, but the team really isn’t going anywhere while he’s going to be there. He’s just such a valuable piece.
Who’s looking to spend MiLB talent for a catcher right now though? The Braves are looking for someone younger.
I don’t think Milwaukee would have trouble finding a deal for prospects involving Lucroy. He’d have value to a team over the next several seasons. I just question if he’s on the Brewers timeline. There are many teams that would upgrade sensibly by adding Lucroy. Given his bat at a scarce position…the market is there. It’s just that Milwaukee hasn’t apparently made him available.
I agree with you about Lucroy being very valuable and that Milwaukee should look to trade him. I’m curious who’s looking for catching and contending for the division lead. Texas? I’m sure there’s many more.
Any team that is looking to contend in 2016 as well
Braves would L-O-V-E to have Lucroy. He’s cost efficient, good defensively and is a consistent hitter. ATL wouldn’t overpay, but I think he’d be there #1 target.
only thing is we (atlanta) do not usually have good luck resigning players we trade for to long term extensions the only exception that w had a fairly easy time signing someone we traded for to a long term deal was dan uggla’s extension 5 years ago and we all know how that turned out either him or bj upton
I don’t have Lucroys contract info in front of me, but I believe he still has a pretty solid length of time left. After that I’m not sure he’d be resigned… They’d be looking at the downside of his career. I believe he’ll cost something serious….but he’d be a solid piece for a team contending in the next few seasons. His contract is team friendly.
Absolutely agree. We’re really screwing ourselves over if we’re identifying someone like Lucroy as “untouchable” at this point. He won’t be around for when we’re competing again (unless we sign him to a ridiculous extension, which doesn’t seem like something we’d do after already being bitten by the second Braun extension), but he’s still under control long enough to be crazy valuable to the rest of the league. It just makes too much sense not to deal him. Braves would be a good fit, too. Got that young pitching we need.
I think Steve implied they are looking for immediate help.
dont see the braves trading julio shelby alex manny mike or williams unless you get a alex colome,matt moore, will myers type player in return
A couple of ideas came to mind here, as a Mets fan, that haven’t been discussed. IF the Braves and Mets are willing to trade with each other, the Mets do need a SS and the Braves do have one… The Mets could also include Nimmo in the right deal, and that might help the Braves with their LF issues.
we wont be trading simmons to anyone much less a division rival
speaking of will myers how about someone like ozaino albies and mauricio cabrera and ricardo sanchez to the padres for will smith and tyson ross and will myers
As a Braves fan I wish
Sox should move Swihart. A healthy Christian Vazquez is my preference, particularly paired with Hannigan – shame the duo got split up this year. Swihart can play, no doubt, but the Sox should be open to the idea of shipping him for an arm. Alex Wood, with various pieces going either way in a deal for Swihart, would be interesting. The Sox are seeking controllable pitchers, might be a good fit. Teheran is interesting, too, but I heard Leo Mazzone (on the Jody Mac Show) describe Teheran as a “third starter” – interesting insight. I’d go Wood over Teheran.
I agree with almost everything you said.. Where we differ is Leo Mazzone.. I do respect him as a great pitching coach but these days he just sounds like a bitter old man.. I take everything he says with a grain of salt.. Swihart projects as a great offensive bat but like I have said over and over, somebody has to bat 8th and 9th.. I would prefer a elite defensive catcher with excellent pitch framing skills to a decent defensive catcher with decent pitch framing skills with a little pop in his bat and a cannon for an arm.. Vazquez had a dWAR of 1.1 last year (Baseball Reference) in only 54 games.. I will take a full season of that with a slash line of .240/.308/.309 any time.. Granted Swihart is an extremely rare player but had they traded him in the off season for Hamels, I truly believe the Red Sox would be in the fight for the AL East.. Vazquez batting 9th wouldn’t be a big deal at all with the type of talent the Red Sox are going to surround him with in the very near future (Sandoval, Ramirez, Holt, Bogaerts, Castillo, Pedroia, Betts, Moncada etc.)..
Teheren actually might be a #3 starter. I didn’t hear Mazzones take…but there are many teams running 3 starters out there as 1-2s. Is he saying that in a solid Braves rotation he’s the #3? Mazzones is also a guy that had John Smoltz as a #3 starter.
The Yankees and Braves line up nicely here.. My humble speculation would be Murphy, Sanchez, Heathcott and Refsnyder for Peraza, Bethancourt and Foltynewicz.. Before you laugh me out of the room let me explain myself.. Reports are that Sanchez has finally started to mature.. His bat should earn him his first taste of AAA very soon and if he manages to get his defensive game up to par he could be a stud behind the dish.. Murphy would provide the bat of today which would allow Sanchez to mature for another year.. Although unspectacular he is generally above average with his bat and his defense is decent.. Given a full time starting spot he is one that would have a decent chance of breaking out.. But with McCann starting he has little chance of getting the opportunity and Sanchez will be ready by the time McCann breaks down and handles more DH or a move to 1st.. Heathcott has shown that when he manages to stay healthy he was worthy of his former top prospect billing and he would be an immediate upgrade in LF when he comes off his latest trip to the dl.. Refsnyder could be the Braves super utility man now and in the future.. He is having a bit of trouble adjusting to 2nd but he will get it in time.. He has been ready for the majors for some time now.. He was a corner outfielder in college and could fill that role for Atlanta as well, while also spelling Peterson at 2nd.. Now for the Atlanta side.. Peraza is their top prospect but he plays 2nd, where Peterson is working hard at entrenching himself.. Also a position that the Yankees need filled beyond any other and they were reportedly eyeing Peraza earlier this year.. I will admit that I like Wisler better than Foltynewicz but I am sure the Braves do as well.. With this package I doubt the Braves would consider Wisler but if they do the Yankees should jump on it.. I also think both Touki Toussaint and Fried together would work as well..
The Yankees would be giving up more.. But getting a solid future rotation candidate and the second baseman that they covet would make up for losing so much.. Granted Heathcott is nothing more than a throw in but if he manages to get healthy and stay that way he could be a beast.. Trading a guy like him is what terrorizes teams in the future..
Essentially that isn’t one throw in from the Braves perspective. That’s two of them, since Murphy isn’t really an upgrade over what they currently have access to. The Yankees are only giving up more with that proposed trade based on the quantity of the players involved.
So you’re essentially proposing a trade not only for the Braves top prospect (in a pretty deep system), but also asking for one of their promising pitching prospects AND Bethancourt as well. I doubt they would consider a trade for Peraza if you offered Sanchez and Refsnyder just for Peraza.
There’s a very good chance that Peraza does get dealt. He simply has more trade value at the moment. But he’s a key trade piece that could be used in a much better deal than what you’re proposing.