FanGraphs posted a trade hypothetical involving the Braves and Royals, the team that sent World Series MVP Jorge Soler to the Braves last season:
Let’s Make Some Deadline Trades! https://t.co/UKNyIzK1P4
— FanGraphs Baseball (@fangraphs) July 26, 2022
FanGraphs has the Braves acquiring a name that I have talked about many times. He was featured first in my trade deadline target series — Andrew Benintendi:
The Atlanta Braves acquire OF Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals for P Freddy Tarnok, OF Brandol Mezquita, and OF Tyler Collins
The Yankees are connected with Benintendi regularly in the rumor mill, but I think that he’s a better fit for an NL team that has a lower probability of having road games in Toronto. The Braves could use an extra outfielder, and unless the bidding becomes fierce, Benintendi’s free agent-to-be status likely keeps the prospect return from being too rich, especially as he’s not one of Kansas City’s legacy players. Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario haven’t been cutting it in left field for the Braves, and due to season-ending surgery, the former is no longer even an option. Tarnok gives the Royals a pitcher who is not too far away from the rotation, and Mezquita and Collins give them some additional outfield depth, of which the system could use more.
Tarnok has had a good season, and Collins is a player that I’m very high on if you have read my prospect profiles. I listed him and Mezquita as two prospects to watch following the Drew Waters trade to the Royals, ironically enough. Here’s what I had to say:
OF Tyler Collins (ROK)
I’ve been on the Tyler Collins hype train since he was drafted last year. The Braves reached to sign this kid, one of two high schoolers they selected in the 2021 Draft. The Braves are high on him and gave him a big enough bonus to shy away from playing both football and baseball in college. Collins is oozing with athleticism, and although he’s a project at just 19-years-old, the sky’s the limit. He’s only appeared in four games so far in 2022, but he posted an .877 OPS with four doubles, two triples, and twelve stolen bases over 23 games in 2021.
OF Brandol Mezquita (A)
Mezquita originally signed with the Braves in 2017, but his deal was voided when the Braves were put in timeout with their International signing penalties. In Augusta, Mezquita is slashing .297/.379/.406/.785. He has been flying around the bases, collecting twelve doubles, four triples, and eleven steals. His bat speed is really coming around — he’s a guy that could be promoted to Rome soon.
This is great value for both sides — the Royals are getting a ton of upside for a rental, and the Braves are picking up a high quality bat to stop the bleeding in left field. I rarely believe trade hypotheticals are fair, but this one from FanGraphs works for both the Royals and Braves.
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