Atlanta Braves: Trade Deadline Musings – Third Base
Should the Braves look to add a Third Baseman at the trade deadline?
At the blink of an eye, the MLB non-waiver trade deadline is now only a month and a half away for the Braves. Arguably the most exciting time of the baseball season, teams in the playoff chase are hard at work to find ways they can improve their clubs. Conversely, teams with very little shot at making the postseason are working the phones to deal away veterans in exchange for prospects that can help their club in future seasons.
At 40-28, the Braves are currently 1.5 games in front of 2nd place Washington in the NL East. With one of the top pitching staffs in the league and 3 potential all-star starters in the lineup, the Braves find themselves in the position of having very few holes that need filling.
Solid foundation set for a post-season run
With Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Short Stop, Right Field, and Center Field pretty much set, Third Base and Left Field are the only current “holes” in the lineup, and that’s very much a worse case scenario.
Ronald Acuna should be back from the disabled list soon, and I don’t see the Braves taking him out of the lineup unless he hits rock bottom. It certainly can happen, as Dansby Swanson can attest after being sent back down to AAA Gwinnett last summer.
Johan Camargo settles in as Braves 3B – with mixed results
That leaves Third Base as the most logical everyday position that the Braves might look to upgrade before July 31st.
After spending the first 16 games of the 2018 season on the DL, Camargo has split time between SS and 3B and has faired….ok.
In 47 games and 166 plate appearances, Camargo is currently hitting with a slash line of .223/.349/.417 with 6 HR, 21 RBI, and 27 BB. While his average is considerably lower than last season, where he batted .299, he is getting on base at a higher rate and providing decent power from a traditional power position in the lineup. Additionally, one could argue that he has hit into some bad luck, sporting a Batting Average on Balls in Play (BAbip) of .238. For reference, in 2017 Camargo’s BAbip was .364.
Will Alex Anthopoulos make a move to upgrade 3B?
With all that said, the Braves could easily improve the production at 3B with several big names potentially being made available in the trade market. However, one of the common themes expressed by General Manager Alex Anthopoulos since he was hired is that he will not look to make drastic changes to player personnel without having a strong understanding of what he has available.
So while the Braves are loaded in the minor leagues with prospects that would be intriguing for any team looking to rebuild, they may not be looking to offload their high profile players just yet. My opinion is that the club will stand pat at 3B. If any change is made, it might include calling up Austin Riley later this year, assuming he fully recovers from his current injury predicament.
Regardless, let’s take a look at six teams that might be looking to deal third basemen as we approach the trade deadline.
Toronto Blue Jays (30-38)
Even though he is currently on the disabled list, Josh Donaldson will most likely be highly sought after this summer. Although struggling a bit this year with a slash line of .234/.333/.423 with 5 HR, 16 RBI, and 44/21 K/BB ratio, the powerful third baseman would provide a big RH threat to hit behind Freddie Freeman. Donaldson is making $23 million this year and is signed thru 2018. His current struggles, injury status, and contract situation might make him an affordable trade option for the Braves.
Baltimore Orioles (19-48)
While playing 3B for the majority of his career, Manny Machado demanded a move to SS, and has played there for the entirety of the 2018. I would imagine that this move was requested to improve his stock in the free agent market following the season, but one wonders if he would agree to move back to 3B for a chance to play in the post-season. Machado is playing at an all-star level once again with a line of .307/.378/.579 including 18 HR, 50 RBI, and a 41/31 K/BB ratio. Machado is signed through the 2018 season and is currently making a reasonable $16 million. The Orioles will most certainly demand a Mark Teixeria-like ransom, and I don’t see the Braves seriously entertaining those talks unless they forsee a high likelihood of Machado resigning with them this offseason. Even then, they might be willing to ride out of the season with what they have and try to sign him without giving up a king’s ransom in prospects.
Oakland Athletics (34-35)
Jed Lowrie is a player that I could see the Braves taking a flyer on this July. The switch-hitting veteran infielder is currently playing 2B for Oakland, but could easily transition to 3B and fill in at SS if needed. Lowrie is signed cheaply at $6 million through the 2018 season, and is currently hitting a solid .275/.340/.453 with 9 HR and 42 RBI. This move would provide even more flexibility for the team, as it adds another switch hitter to the roster with the ability to play several positions. Additionally, he shouldn’t cost a lot in terms of prospects, and certainly won’t break the piggy bank for the Braves.
Texas Rangers (27-43)
The future Hall of Fame third baseman, Adrian Beltre, has had a hard time staying on the field this year, only playing in 39 of 70 games so far this year. While his power output has been limited so far this year (.434 SLG% with 2 HR), Beltre’s BA and OBP are still elite (.324 BA and .380 OBP) and has always played very good defense. While he would need to approve any trade at this point in his career, he might not balk at a shot to play in one more post-season, and the Braves would welcome a vet of his caliber with open arms to help mentor the young talent on their Major League roster. He is signed through 2018 with a salary of $18 million.
Kansas City Royals (22-46)
In a failed attempt to hold out for a long-term deal this past off-season, Mike Moustakas ultimately resigned with Kansas City for a cheap $5.5 million, 1-year deal with a mutual option for 2019. So far in 2018, he has proven the naysayers right by batting an uninspiring .259/.313/.475 with 13 HR, 42 RBI, and a 40/20 K/BB ratio. I would imagine that he could be had without giving up a ton in terms of prospects, but his production may not be seen as a significant enough upgrade to warrant a move.
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Cincinnati Reds (25-43)
In my mind, the most intriguing possibility for an upgrade at 3B would be the potential acquisition of Eugenio Suarez from Cincinnati. Suarez recently signed a long-term deal with the Reds through 2025 ($66 million). Any trade involving Suarez would probably require the unloading of several highly rated prospects, including 3B Austin Riley. If you acquire Suarez, however, there would be no immediate need for a player like Riley.
At this point, Suarez is a known quantity while Riley may or may not live up to the lofty expectations that Braves fans have placed on him. So far in his Major League Career, Suarez has shown an increasing ability to get on base while hitting for more power each and every season. He would be both a short term and long term answer and would immediately upgrade the position.
Next: Braves fare well in first All-Star ballot
That gives a good rundown of the options the Braves could have at third base at the MLB trade deadline. Which player do you think the Braves should pursue? Comment below!!