:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60504585/usa_today_10982884.0.jpg)
BRAVES NEWS
Braves mulling options for possible trades
As Braves beat writer Mark Bowman writes, the Braves are in a position to be aggressive buyers at the Trade Deadline if they so choose. Armed with a plethora of pitching prospects, minimal pressing needs at the major league level, and an experienced general manager, Atlanta could make a big play at any time. As players are dealt to various contenders the Braves have remained quiet, but their options may soon come into focus
The Rays have had a scout following the Braves’ Minor League prospects over the past few weeks. Though the asking price would likely be steep, Blake Snell would be the most desirable starting pitcher in Tampa Bay’s system. But the more likely target would be Chris Archer, who could be controlled through 2021.
If the Braves make an an offensive acquisition, the target would likely be a right-handed hitter. So as the Tigers have spent time scouring Atlanta’s farm system, there has been some belief Nicholas Castellanos would be a potential target. Some scouts question whether Castellanos is sound enough defensively to be valuable in the National League.
But other scouts have said they believe Castellanos would be a good fit if he were to platoon with Camargo at third base and provide the bench with some much-needed power potential.
Much has been written linking the Braves to third baseman Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals, especially given the perceived hole that Atlanta has there. However, with the surprisingly steady production provided by Johan Camargo it appears that the Braves have lessened the urgency of their pursuits, especially with regards to Moustakas.
I checked further on this. The #Braves interest in Moustakas is minimal at best. They're happy with Camargo at 3B, and the deadline focus remains pitching. There's also the question of how Moustakas would adapt to a bench role. Barring an injury in Atlanta, there's no fit. https://t.co/s7ou8XFmNO
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 25, 2018
Chipper Jones Making Hall History
Carroll Rogers Walton writes about Chipper Jones and his upcoming Hall of Fame induction for Baseball America. Rogers details the historic achievements of the Braves’ core from their run throughout the 1990’s with four Hall of Fame players suiting up together for a full decade. Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and now Jones make up what has become a crowded Hall of Braves alumni, putting them in elite company among baseball’s great teams.
Jones, Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz spent 10 years together as teammates in Atlanta, from 1993-2002. That includes 1994 when Jones was out with a knee injury and 2000 when Smoltz was out with Tommy John surgery.
Since 1960, only the Giants have had that many Hall of Famers play together longer. At least four Hall of Famers played for the Giants for 12 straight seasons from 1960-71, and in five of those years, there were five: Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry.
MLB NEWS
20 names, 20 Trade Deadline predictions
Mike Petriello of MLB.com shares his predictions ahead of Tuesday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline, with a pretty familiar name projected to land with the Braves.
Moustakas is going to have the same season he has every year, which is to say a nice home run total that’s somewhat muted by below-average on-base skills, which makes him something like the 15th-best third baseman in the game. He’s also not outperforming either Philadelphia’s Maikel Franco or Atlanta’s Johan Camargo, to pick the two most obvious destinations. Still, we’ll say that the Braves will make this happen. Camargo has massive platoon splits (he crushes lefties, hitting .336/.379/.601 in his career) and he can also play second and short, so Atlanta could improve its platoon options and its infield depth, upgrading on Ryan Flaherty, in one move.
Prediction: Braves