With the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline less than a month away, here are three players that the Atlanta Braves may target over the next few weeks:
Luis Valbuena, IF, Chicago Cubs
The Braves are in the market for a utility infielder to replace the injured Ramiro Pena, who will miss the rest of the season after undergoing right shoulder surgery last week. The Braves called up Paul Janish and Tyler Pastornicky to replace Pena, but Janish’s bat and Pastornicky’s defensive inabilities have left the Braves with a hole on their bench. The 27-year-old Valbuena has at least 25 starts at shorstop, second base and third base since his debut in 2008. Through 66 games this season, he has a .738 OPS with an impressive 13.5% BB% and 7.4 UZR. Valbuena is signed through 2017 and likely won’t cost more than a B-level prospect.
Joba Chamberlain, P, New York Yankees
The Braves are in the market for a veteran reliever after the season-ending injuries suffered by Eric O’Flaherty and Jonny Venters. Since his debut in 2007, Chamberlain has gained more notoriety for how he was handled as opposed to his on-field performance. At 27 years old, Chamberlian no longer is looked at as the closer heir to Mariano Rivera and might be dealt at the deadline. He has struggled this season, posting a 5.75 ERA in 21 appearances with a career-high 4.43 BB/9. However, the hard-throwing right-hander has a career 9.15 K/9 and 3.53 BB/9 and is under team control through 2014. A Paul Maholm-for-Chamberlain-type trade would work out well for both teams.
Kyle Seager, 3B, Seattle Mariners
Over the past two seasons, Seager has quietly been one of the better third baseman in the American League. Over the past 1 1/2 years, the left-handed-hitting Seager has hit 31 home runs and driven in 122 runs, while playing above-average defense (2.6 UZR in 2013). The Braves are looking for a compliment to Chris Johnson, whose UZR ranks 18th among National League third baseman (min. 200 innings). With the Mariners’ infield depth (Nick Franklin, Brad Miller, Dustin Ackley, Stefen Romero, etc.), Seager might be expendable. However, he would not come cheap.
Tomahawk Talk 