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Atlanta Braves: 10 potential targets before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline

11Alive's countdown targets the veterans (arbitration mode/imminent free agents) who've been part of baseball's rumor-mill discussion over the last few weeks.
Credit: Dustin Bradford

ATLANTA—11Alive Sports offers a speculative listing of the Braves' 10 most prized assets, acquisition-wise, heading into Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.

The prized label comes with one notable caveat: This countdown targets only the veterans (arbitration mode/second contracts/imminent free agents) who've been part of baseball's rumor-mill discussion over the last few weeks.

There's also a realistic component to this exercise.

Namely, you have better odds of getting struck by lightning twice in the next 48 hours ... than the Braves have with trading for Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom (1.82 seasonal ERA) or Nationals slugger Bryce Harper.

Why? Both superstars operate inside National League East boundaries.

Note: All stats run through July 29.

1. SP CHRIS ARCHER, RAYS

STATS: 3-5, 4.31 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 102/31 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2022 (team options for 2020-21)

SKINNY: Our top trade target also represents the best long-term investment, given how Archer (averaged 245 strikeouts/3.77 ERA from 2015-17) has an eminently affordable contract of three years and $24 million, beginning in 2019.

Charting his previous eight starts (dating back to May 17), the 29-year-old hurler's a perfect 8 for 8 in allowing three or fewer earned runs; and during this fruitful stretch, Archer boasts strong tallies with ERA (2.70) and opponents' slugging rate (.337).

Only one question remains: Will the Rays be motivated sellers over the next 24 hours, or should they wait until the Winter Meetings to cast a wider net of interested suitors?

After all, it's never easy to part with an annual lock for 200 strikeouts and a reasonably low ERA (especially against the AL East) ... even though Tampa Bay's loaded with pitching prospects.

2. 3B/OF NICHOLAS CASTELLANOS, TIGERS

STATS: 15 HR, 58 RBI, 57 runs, .292 batting, .346 OBP, .842 OPS

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2020

SKINNY: The Tigers would be foolish not to field offers involving Castellanos, who's under team control for another full season (arbitration).

Castellanos leads Detroit in runs, hits, doubles, triples, homers, RBI and slugging rate; and yet, that wasn't enough to garner a spot on the American League All-Star team.

As a bonus, Castellanos has improved his fielding acumen in right field. For playoff sake (with another team), he also boasts positional versatility, which cannot be underrated when championships are on the line.

3. SP ZACK WHEELER, METS

STATS: 5-6, 4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 116/42 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2020

SKINNY: The Mets would likely fetch a fair price for the 29-year-old Wheeler, who will be under team control for another season.

Charting his previous eight outings, Wheeler owns rock-solid numbers with ERA (2.96), K-BB (52/16), WHIP (1.04), opponents' batting (.204), opponents' slugging (.281) and opponents' OBP (.282).

As such, the Yankees, Brewers, Phillies and Braves were reportedly locked in a four-way battle to land Wheeler before Wednesday.

Within that report, Milwaukee and New York figure to be the favorites, if the Mets' brass has a hang-up up about making crucial trades within the division.

But if that's not a major concern, then Atlanta certainly has the organizational depth and top-end talent to match any Wheeler offer.

4. SP KYLE GIBSON, TWINS

STATS: 5-7, 3.42 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 126/50 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2020

SKINNY: Gibson has been one of baseball's most bankable pitchers over the last month, posting a 3-1 record, 3.24 ERA, 33/10 K-BB rate and opponents' batting average of .220.

Of equal importance, charting his previous 12 starts (hearkening back to May 23), the 30-year-old pitcher has yielded three or fewer earned runs 10 times.

Bottom line: Gibson has earned the reputation of a productive innings-eater. Subsequently, this acquisition would allow the Braves' cadre of elite arms to develop in the minors for another 4-5 months next season.

5. RP SERGIO ROMO, RAYS

STATS: 1-2, 3.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 12 saves, 50/16 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2019

SKINNY: Since June 1, Romo has been a cumulative force in the categories of ERA (1.44), WHIP (0.92), opponents' batting average (.198), K/BB rate (22/6), opponents' OBP (.198) and opponents' slugging (.279).

Plus, the right-hander has converted on 11 of his last 14 save opportunities.

Come July 31, this mini-run of sustainable glory will determine whether Romo commands a decent price on the trade market.

It might also foretell his value during the postseason.

6. SP MATT HARVEY, REDS

REDS-ONLY STATS: 5-4, 4.44 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 56/17 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2019

SKINNY: Harvey's redemption-arc story in Cincinnati has gone under the radar; and maybe that's a good thing.

In New York, things obviously got too hairy for the former Mets savior, who eventually had difficulty living up to the Dark Knight moniker.

Of his last eight starts, Harvey holds respectable tallies with ERA (4.01), WHIP (1.16), K-BB rate (32/9), opponents' on-base percentage (.305) and opponents' slugging (.385) ... and this includes a July 22 clunker, in which Harvey gave up eight earned runs in three-plus innings work.

From my perspective, Cincinnati has nothing to lose in trading Harvey to a contending team:

Unless the 29-year-old pitcher goes lights-out for his new club, warranting a big-time payday before free agency kicks in, the Reds would have a solid shot of re-signing Harvey in six months—since Cincinnati represents a low-key market for rebuilding one's reputation on the mound.

7. SS STARLIN CASTRO, MARLINS

STATS: 8 HR, 40 RBI, .287 batting, .336 OBP, .741 OPS

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2021 (team option in 2020)

SKINNY: First, let's assume no team will pick up Castro's $16 million option in 2020.

This essentially creates a path for Castro serving as a relatively inexpensive placeholder at second base or shortstop for the next 14 months.

Second, let's give the Marlins credit for better than the experts predicted in March. After purging their high-end outfield trio of Giancarlo Stanton (traded to Yankees), Christian Yelich (traded to Brewers) and Marcell Ozuna (traded to Cardinals), the Miami franchise (46-61, 4th in NL East) has evolved into a tough out for opposing teams.

Now for the reality check: The Marlins won't be playoff contenders for at least two more years.

Consequently, it makes no sense to keep Castro on for the duration of his contract, given how he ranks among the league leaders in hits (119) and runs scored (62).

8. RP AMIR GARRETT, REDS

STATS: 0-2, 3.71 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 60/17 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2024

9. RP RAISEL IGLESIAS, REDS

STATS: 1-1, 2.11 ERA, 21 saves, 1.00 WHIP, 49/15 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2021

SKINNY: On the surface, the Reds would seemingly have no interest in parting with Garrett—an Aroldis Chapman clone, delivery-wise—who's under team control for another five seasons.

But aside from Hunter Greene (Cincy's No. 2 prospect), the Reds need to replenish their minor-league pipeline of potential starting arms; and Garrett, given his tremendous upside, would collect a robust return in open trade circles.

That's also the problem: Cincinnati doesn't necessarily want to advertise Garrett's availability, just in case the club has to put that genie back into the bottle after July 31.

So, prospective talks with other clubs might be silently entertained, on a case-by-case basis.

That aside, if any organization has the goods to execute a trade, it's the Braves.

Five of their top six prospects are being groomed as starting pitchers; and with Mike Foltynewicz and Mike Soroka already helping the big-league club, logic dictates that Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos will eventually move some of the high-end assets at pitcher.

Perhaps long before their major-league careers get rolling.

Iglesias would for make an interesting trade investment. Short-term stability for the latter innings; potential closer with the Braves as early as next year.

10. SP JORDAN ZIMMERMANN, TIGERS

STATS: 4-3, 4.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 67/13 K-BB

CONTRACT STATUS: Unrestricted free agent in 2021

SKINNY: The Tigers likely missed their window to entice contending clubs intro trading for Zimmermann ... and a large chunk of the $52 million he's owed over the next two-plus seasons.

From April 19 to July 6, covering eight starts, Zimmermann owned stellar marks of a 4-0 record, 0.96 WHIP, 45/8 K-BB rate and an opponents' batting average of .202—reminiscent of the right-hander's superb seasons with the Nationals.

But for his last three outings, Zimmermann has cratered back to Earth, posting deplorable tallies with ERA (7.94) and WHIP (1.94).

Let's end on a high note, though:

Citing his career numbers against NL East foes, Zimmermann has a 24-14 record, 2.99 ERA and 306/74 K-BB rate.

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