Evan Gattis is reportedly on the radar for the Texas Rangers as MLB trade rumors start to heat up at this year’s Winter Meetings.
Right-handed power is the talk of the Winter Meetings. Well, besides the destinations for top free agent pitchers, the nice weather in San Diego, the hotel accommodations, and what the heck Ruben Amaro and the Philadelphia Phillies are going to do this winter, pop from the right side of the plate is on people’s minds.
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Teams want right-handed power, there’s not much available in free agency, and so teams are looking to trade for it. One team that has right-handed power to trade is the Atlanta Braves.
Most notably, the Braves are reportedly exploring the option of trading outfielder Justin Upton. But he’s not the only potential trade piece, and the Texas Rangers are reportedly interested in a trade for a different Atlanta slugger.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers are interested in trading with the Braves for Evan Gattis:
"Instead it may be Forney’s Evan Gattis, who was believed to be off the market as the meetings began.According to major league sources, Braves officials gathered Monday for a hastily-arranged strategy session to scour the Rangers farm system. The clubs were scheduled to talk later Monday."
From the perspective of the Braves’ beat, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution offers the following:
#Braves not eager to trade Gattis, but #Rangers could offer multi prospects from among P's Alex Gonzalez, Jake Thompson, OF Nomar Mazara etc
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 8, 2014
For his part, Gattis might be better suited to American League baseball. He mashes the ball, hitting over 20 home runs in each of the last two big league seasons. His position on defense, however, is problematic. He plays a rough catcher behind the plate, and now the team is talking about using him in the outfield, something that promises to be adventurous.
Being able to serve as a designated hitter in the AL would presumably increase his value, meaning the Braves can hold out for even more in a deal.