The Atlanta Braves are among a group of teams with reported interest in Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich. Things may have moved a bit closer to a trade happening after Yelich’s agent Joe Longo delivered a message to the Marlins through ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.
“They have a plan,” agent Joe Longo said. “I respect that plan, but that plan shouldn’t include Christian at this point in his career. He’s in the middle of the best years of his career, and having him be part of a 100-loss season is not really where [we] want to see him going.
”The relationship between player and team is irretrievably broken. It’s soured. He’s part of the old ownership regime. The new ownership regime needs to get new parts into this plan and move forward, and he needs to get on with his career where he’s got a chance to win. The big issue is him winning and winning now.”
“Irretrievably broken.”
Yelich joins teammates J.T. Realmuto and Starlin Castro as players who have also expressed a desire to leave the Marlins. Miami has reportedly fielded offers but the asking price has reportedly been very high. It remains to be seen whether this public statement by Yelich’s agent changes anything.
The Braves have the prospects to make a deal and an opening in the outfield after dumping Matt Kemp earlier this offseason. Acquiring Yelich wouldn’t block top prospect Ronald Acuna when he is deemed ready as the team could then look to move Nick Markakis who is entering the final year of his contract.