FanPost

After All-Star break Rosterbation




Now is when things usually begin to heat up in the rumors department. The Braves have holes and need a lefty in the bullpen. With that being said here is my big trade proposal to push the Braves past the Nationals and into the World Series.

Braves get: Adrian Beltre and Neal Cotts

Rangers get: Chris Johnson, Mauricio Cabrera, Jason Hursh, Victor Caratini, and Cody Martin

Braves give up quite a bit of depth and take on some salary but it's worth it. Beltre is hitting .337/.383/.534 with 13 HR's in 81 games. He also plays above average defense. Beltre is owed roughly $8M for the rest of the season but is signed for $18M next year with a $16M vesting option for 2016. Cotts is a solid lefty who would be a better option than Avilan. Cotts has a 3.60 ERA over 40 innings, while striking out 46 and walking 16. His FIP though is only 2.76. Cotts is signed through the end of the season with a little under $1M remaining on his contract.

The Rangers are in dire need of rebuilding. They don't have a ton of minor league depth. Some of the players they've brought to the majors haven't really panned out and the next wave is a couple years away. Johnson gives them a cheaper 3B who would see his offensive production go up playing in Texas.

Cabrera is 21 and pitching at A+ and dominating. He's a great arm who's probably 2 years away.

Hursh is 22 and doing okay at AA. He's a back end type starter who should be ready next year.

Caratini is 20 and hitting well at A. Hitting won't be a problem with him its going to be where to play him. He's caught and played 3B this year but he's not a great defender. A move to the AL where he could DH might be a big plus for him. He's still 2 or 3 years away.

Cody Martin would be able to step into the Rangers rotation right now and is probably a middle of the rotation type guy. He's also the one player in this deal I hate giving up.

The big hurdle in this trade is Atlanta would be taking on around $6M in salary this year. Next year with Santana off the books it evens back out again.

Personally I think this trade makes the Braves a strong contender. It gives them the best infield defense in baseball in my opinion and Beltre's offense and experience would all be big additions.

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Battery Power.