Atlanta Braves interim general manager John Hart replaced Frank Wren at the end of September, but then turned down an offer to remain in the position last week. Although the Braves don't currently have anyone to sign off on such transactions, there is speculation the team is looking to trade one or more of their outfielders.
According to A.J. Mass of ESPN, the Braves outfielders in 2014 ranked 17th in the MLB in total bases and 25th in batting average. Justin Upton led the way with a .270 batting average and 278 total bases and Jason Heyward followed with a .271 average and 220 total bases, but B.J. Upton was dismal for the second straight season, compiling a .208 average with 173 total bases. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes once a new GM is hired, the team will focus on shaking up the outfield.
But the situation is complicated because the player they likely want to rid themselves of is B.J. Upton, but he's still owed nearly $50 million through 2017. He'll be nearly impossible to trade after posting a .198 batting average with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs over the past two seasons with Atlanta. As for Justin Upton, the club might not be inclined to move him because he has only one year and $14.5 million remaining on his contract, so they probably wouldn't get much value in return if they're trading a rental player. Plus, Upton has significantly contributed to the team over the past two years and they might be interested in re-signing him. It would be much easier to move Heyward, who has one year and $7.8 million left on his contract, but he's disappointed over the past two seasons as well (.263 average with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs). They may opt to cut their losses with him.
The team would at least look to free up one outfield spot to make room for Evan Gattis who would move from catcher to left field for injury-related and defensive reasons. The Braves would then promote catcher Christian Bethancourt to become the full-time starter. The 22-year-old batted .283/.308/.408 with Triple-A Gwinnett this past season and manager Fredi Gonzalez is confident in his abilities. The Braves are probably ready for him, since they signed him as a 16-year-old in 2008.
"Christian's development is basically done," Gonzales told Baseball America, in their latest issue. "Defensively, he's ready to go. He's making adjustments offensively, just like everybody else. But the things he can do behind the plate, he's ready to make an impact at this level."
And based on the number of teams in need of outfielders - Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers, to name a few - it shouldn't be too difficult for the Braves to move at least one of them and get something in return. Team president John Schuerholz wants more productivity from the team's prospects and that begins with getting Bethancourt, second baseman Jose Peraza (the team's minor league player of the year) and Jason Hursh (the team's minor league pitcher of the year) to the big leagues in 2015.
