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MLB Trade Deadline: 1 trade every team shouldn’t make

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) against the Miami Marlins at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves: Trading Freddie Freeman

At this point, there aren’t many trades the Braves shouldn’t make. Atlanta’s 25-man roster is looking worse than expected entering a massive rebuild, and contending even by 2018 seems unlikely.

The Braves have already traded Jhoulys Chacin, and others like Julio Tehran, Nick Markakis and a few relievers are likely to follow. However, the one piece who should stay for now is Freeman.

It’s unlikely that Freeman will still be a productive player on the next contending Braves team. However, Freeman’s value might not be as high as Atlanta would like at the present moment.

Freeman has slowed down at the plate over the past couple of seasons, including a 126 wRC+ to start this season according to FanGraphs.com.  While that’s certainly not a bad mark, teams aren’t going to give up a lot for a first basemen on a big contract with those numbers, and there are concerns that a lingering wrist injury might be sapping Freeman’s power.

Instead, the Braves should wait and see if Freeman can rebuild some value and get back to something in the 140-150 wRC+ range over a full season. After a slow start, Freeman is starting to hit for much more power over the past few days, and the Braves could get a bigger return for him in the offseason.

Freeman is under contract until 2021, so a trade doesn’t have to happen right away, and the Braves should shoot for a bigger return than just salary relief.

Next: Baltimore Orioles: Trading for James Shields

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