Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Four starting outfielders and 3 available positions. Aside from obtaining reliable pitching, this is the biggest question mark for the Braves this off-season: who becomes the odd man out?
In the following, Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella is Dr. Evil. Who’s Mini-Me? Find out…
Dr. Evil:
All right, it’s getting crowded in here. Everyone out. Everyone out. C’mon.Dr. Evil:
Not you, Scottie. Not you, Number 2. Not you, Frau. Not you, Goldmember. Not you, guys back there. Not you, henchman holding wrench. Not you, henchman arbitrarily turning knobs, making it seem like you’re doing something.Dr. Evil:
Ohh, this is uncomfortable.Goldmember:
Hehehehe, the tiny one can’t take a hint, Hehehehehe. He doesn’t understand he’s small.
Atlanta Braves 2017 Outfield…
…it’s crowded. The old cliché “It’s a good problem to have” rings true. Between Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, and Mallex Smith, the Braves have 4 OFers capable of being primary starters for 3 positions.
braves
Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks 1 wBraves Ender Inciarte Tremendous 2nd Half: Waiver Worthy?
More headlines around FanSided:
2w - 4 Atlanta Braves Worth Picking Up In Fantasy Baseball For Final Month4w - Braves: Top Prospect Dansby Swanson Gets the Call6w - MLB Pipeline Re-Ranks Top Farm Systems8w - Braves: Is Mauricio Cabrera a Hidden Gem?8w - Supply and Demand Does Not Apply to Atlanta Braves' Baseball CardsMore News at Tomahawk Take
The Braves could:
So what’s realistic? In my opinion, 1,2, and 5 are not answers. Kemp has provided much needed power in a lineup that’s mostly vacant of power outside of Freddie Freeman. With hopes of Kemp getting in better shape and being a mainstay at the cleanup spot and providing better defense in left field, I think we can scratch off number 1.
Inciarte has lit the baseball world on fire in the 2nd half of the 2016 season with 86 hits and 19 walks out of the leadoff spot. That comes out to a .377 OBP which is exactly the kind of production one would want out of a speedy leadoff hitter. While trading Inciarte would be a sell-high, it’s likely not going to happen considering the Braves front office has stated that the selling off of cheap, quality players is over. Scratch number 2 off the list.
Keeping all 4 guys just isn’t a solution that works well for these 4. Kemp, Inciarte, and Markakis have all been everyday players for their careers. The backlash of sitting that trio once every 4 games would likely cause a clubhouse cacophony the Braves brass aren’t interested in. Scratch number 5 off the list.
That leaves numbers 3 and 4, but in reality only one makes real sense. Let’s look at each one separately.
Sep 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Trading Nick Markakis
More from Tomahawk Take
Nick has been exactly what the Braves have paid him to be. He’s a slightly above average player that, according to Fangraphs, has been worth his contract this year and last. He’s not flashy, fast, outspoken. In fact, he’s seemingly mute, emotionless, and, to be quite honest, boring.
From the TV and the stadium view, he seems to be a nice enough guy who doesn’t ruffle feathers, and leads by example. There needs to be guys like that on teams filled with young’uns.
But now, the Braves are suited with some good clubhouse leaders outside of Nick in Freddie Freeman, Ender Inciarte, Tyler Flowers, and even newest addition, Dansby Swanson. Not only this, but Markakis is only under team control for ‘17&’18, obviously he’s not a long-term option.
Do the Braves need Nick anymore? My opinion: no.
Trading Mallex Smith
I’ll make this quick. Mallex Smith has a career .382 on-base percentage in the Minor Leagues. He’s also been successful in 80% of his stolen base attempts in the Minors. After his initial adjustment period in the MLB, Mallex was doing exactly the same thing in the MLB that he did in the MILB and that is hit, get on base, steal base.
His last 42 games? A .778 OPS with 12 stolen bases to 5 CS (and 2 of those CS were replay flukes and 2 others were from over-sliding the bag).
Trading him after an injury is a sell-low on a player that, in my opinion, could be the real answer to “Who’s the Braves leadoff man? Ozzie Albies, Ender, or Mallex? He’s got the full package and the Braves shouldn’t waste it for 2 more years of Markakis!
An interesting trial (and maybe error..pun intended) to help Matt Kemp’s Defensive Woes
What I’d like to see happen in 2017 is for the Braves to pioneer an outfield system to aid Kemp in Left Field. Both Mallex and Ender can cover serious ground east to west in the outfield, likely more than any other combo in MLB. Ender does it with instant reads off of the bat, and Mallex does it with God’s gift of legs that move faster than most humans.
With this speed, the Braves could pose a new OF look in which Kemp hugs the line almost like a no-doubles outfield that’s implemented full-time in left field. Mallex, being in CF, due to lack of arm strength, shades toward left field, helping cover the ground lost by Kemp’s positioning. Ender, plays a tad bit more off the line in RF, helping cover the ground Mallex is losing shading toward left.
This likely only increases the extra area needed to cover on each side by 4-5 feet and helps Kemp harness his strength which is running to his glove-side.
That’s a wrap folks! Let’s hear thoughts on the matter from the bleachers!
Let’s say it together! 1, 2, 3…
Go BRAVES!!!
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) is congratulated by left fielder Matt Kemp (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Four starting outfielders and 3 available positions. Aside from obtaining reliable pitching, this is the biggest question mark for the Braves this off-season: who becomes the odd man out?
In the following, Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella is Dr. Evil. Who’s Mini-Me? Find out…
Dr. Evil:
All right, it’s getting crowded in here. Everyone out. Everyone out. C’mon.Dr. Evil:
Not you, Scottie. Not you, Number 2. Not you, Frau. Not you, Goldmember. Not you, guys back there. Not you, henchman holding wrench. Not you, henchman arbitrarily turning knobs, making it seem like you’re doing something.Dr. Evil:
Ohh, this is uncomfortable.Goldmember:
Hehehehe, the tiny one can’t take a hint, Hehehehehe. He doesn’t understand he’s small.
Atlanta Braves 2017 Outfield…
…it’s crowded. The old cliché “It’s a good problem to have” rings true. Between Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, and Mallex Smith, the Braves have 4 OFers capable of being primary starters for 3 positions.
braves
Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks 1 wBraves Ender Inciarte Tremendous 2nd Half: Waiver Worthy?
More headlines around FanSided:
2w - 4 Atlanta Braves Worth Picking Up In Fantasy Baseball For Final Month4w - Braves: Top Prospect Dansby Swanson Gets the Call6w - MLB Pipeline Re-Ranks Top Farm Systems8w - Braves: Is Mauricio Cabrera a Hidden Gem?8w - Supply and Demand Does Not Apply to Atlanta Braves' Baseball CardsMore News at Tomahawk Take
The Braves could:
So what’s realistic? In my opinion, 1,2, and 5 are not answers. Kemp has provided much needed power in a lineup that’s mostly vacant of power outside of Freddie Freeman. With hopes of Kemp getting in better shape and being a mainstay at the cleanup spot and providing better defense in left field, I think we can scratch off number 1.
Inciarte has lit the baseball world on fire in the 2nd half of the 2016 season with 86 hits and 19 walks out of the leadoff spot. That comes out to a .377 OBP which is exactly the kind of production one would want out of a speedy leadoff hitter. While trading Inciarte would be a sell-high, it’s likely not going to happen considering the Braves front office has stated that the selling off of cheap, quality players is over. Scratch number 2 off the list.
Keeping all 4 guys just isn’t a solution that works well for these 4. Kemp, Inciarte, and Markakis have all been everyday players for their careers. The backlash of sitting that trio once every 4 games would likely cause a clubhouse cacophony the Braves brass aren’t interested in. Scratch number 5 off the list.
That leaves numbers 3 and 4, but in reality only one makes real sense. Let’s look at each one separately.
Sep 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Trading Nick Markakis
More from Tomahawk Take
Nick has been exactly what the Braves have paid him to be. He’s a slightly above average player that, according to Fangraphs, has been worth his contract this year and last. He’s not flashy, fast, outspoken. In fact, he’s seemingly mute, emotionless, and, to be quite honest, boring.
From the TV and the stadium view, he seems to be a nice enough guy who doesn’t ruffle feathers, and leads by example. There needs to be guys like that on teams filled with young’uns.
But now, the Braves are suited with some good clubhouse leaders outside of Nick in Freddie Freeman, Ender Inciarte, Tyler Flowers, and even newest addition, Dansby Swanson. Not only this, but Markakis is only under team control for ‘17&’18, obviously he’s not a long-term option.
Do the Braves need Nick anymore? My opinion: no.
Trading Mallex Smith
I’ll make this quick. Mallex Smith has a career .382 on-base percentage in the Minor Leagues. He’s also been successful in 80% of his stolen base attempts in the Minors. After his initial adjustment period in the MLB, Mallex was doing exactly the same thing in the MLB that he did in the MILB and that is hit, get on base, steal base.
His last 42 games? A .778 OPS with 12 stolen bases to 5 CS (and 2 of those CS were replay flukes and 2 others were from over-sliding the bag).
Trading him after an injury is a sell-low on a player that, in my opinion, could be the real answer to “Who’s the Braves leadoff man? Ozzie Albies, Ender, or Mallex? He’s got the full package and the Braves shouldn’t waste it for 2 more years of Markakis!
An interesting trial (and maybe error..pun intended) to help Matt Kemp’s Defensive Woes
What I’d like to see happen in 2017 is for the Braves to pioneer an outfield system to aid Kemp in Left Field. Both Mallex and Ender can cover serious ground east to west in the outfield, likely more than any other combo in MLB. Ender does it with instant reads off of the bat, and Mallex does it with God’s gift of legs that move faster than most humans.
With this speed, the Braves could pose a new OF look in which Kemp hugs the line almost like a no-doubles outfield that’s implemented full-time in left field. Mallex, being in CF, due to lack of arm strength, shades toward left field, helping cover the ground lost by Kemp’s positioning. Ender, plays a tad bit more off the line in RF, helping cover the ground Mallex is losing shading toward left.
This likely only increases the extra area needed to cover on each side by 4-5 feet and helps Kemp harness his strength which is running to his glove-side.
That’s a wrap folks! Let’s hear thoughts on the matter from the bleachers!
Let’s say it together! 1, 2, 3…
Go BRAVES!!!
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