Atlanta Braves Rumors: Three Players That Could Get Dealt

The Atlanta Braves have made it apparent this offseason that they are ready to win now and in the future. According to these Braves rumors, what players may they now, in turn, deal?

Despite being a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, I cannot help myself in rooting for the Atlanta Braves this season. First off, I am a huge fan of Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson, and more importantly I want Matt Kemp to succeed. I would not mind seeing an Atlanta-Los Angeles NLCS, and the first step to getting there would be these potential Braves rumors.

Okay, that may be a tad optimistic, but the Braves can potentially flirt with a Wild Card spot. Of course, they likely have as slim of a chance making the World Series as any, but anything is possible in the sports world today. Maybe the Angels swap Mike Trout for the entire Braves farm system, you never know! (Obviously joking.)

The Atlanta Braves have the ability to be something very special in the near future with all the young talent they have. Much like the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, the future is bright. However, for the Braves, the present also looks bright as, unlike the other teams, Atlanta seems to already be ready for this run.

So, with that being said, which three Atlanta Braves players may get dealt before season’s end according to these Braves rumors?

Adonis Garcia

Adonis Garcia is the Atlanta Braves’ starting third baseman, as you may know. Although Garcia is more than likely going to head into opening day as the starting third baseman, there is a good chance the Braves may deal him this season. The Braves have many options at third base with utility men Chase d’Arnaud and Jace Peterson.

Then, instead of holding on to Garcia and creating a log-jam at nearly every position, the Braves could deal the third baseman for talent they need. Garcia could get a good return for the Braves as well, as a playoff team needing a third baseman would likely overpay for him. Heck, the Braves could even throw in one of their lower-rated prospects and get a pretty decent big league return for Garcia.

Last season Garcia batted .273 with 14 home runs and 65 runs batted in. While they are not significant numbers, they do spark some interest in opposing MLB teams. That is why the Braves should deal Garcia. They won’t lose much in replacing him with Jace Peterson or Chase d’Arnaud, and he could bring in something such as a much-needed pitching prospect.

As I stated in an Angels article of a similar topic, a perfect team for a third baseman would be the Boston Red Sox. I would not be surprised to see Pablo Sandoval released if he cannot perform, and the Red Sox need a gateway third baseman until Rafael Devers is ready.

The Red Sox would likely do a straight swap between Garcia and young, promising arm Eduardo Rodriguez. The Braves would only add to a promising young pitching core, and the Red Sox would get what they need.

Anthony Recker

After the Braves signed Kurt Suzuki to a one-year deal, Anthony Recker finds himself as the third string catcher for the Braves. Although practical wisdom may say that the Braves should keep Recker for when Suzuki leaves, they could cash out on his talents now and improve their pitching. As you may see, all of these deals circle around the Braves improving their pitching.

The biggest concern for the Braves may be that after Suzuki leaves there will be no depth at the catching position. However, if you look at the free agent class next season, the catching position is deep. Guys like Jonathan Lucroy, Miguel Montero, Nick Hundley and Jose Lobaton are all going to be available. The Braves should have no issues replacing Suzuki next season.

Which brings us to Recker. He is a guy who could be an extremely crucial back-up catcher for a playoff caliber team next season. His sample size is very limited, but Recker has shown the potential to be a great back-up catcher that can succeed if put in the right situations.

I have beat this point into the ground, but the Dodgers need a platoon partner for Yasmani Grandal. Austin Barnes is not quite there yet and Grandal lacks his power facing left-handed pitching. Bring in the right-handed Recker, who batted .292 against left-handed pitching last season, and the Dodgers now have that platoon.

Not only do they have the platoon, they have three catchers ready for the task. With their injury history, this could be the Dodgers’ desire as they want to play it safe. With a surplus of pitching, this swap makes sense, as the Dodgers could give Atlanta a big league arm. Heck, we could see Alex Wood return to Atlanta, as that may be a deal both sides can agree on.