Atlanta Braves: Shopping for 3B This Offseason?

At the trade deadline in 2015, the Atlanta Braves acquired third baseman Hector Olivera from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but could the team shop for another third baseman for next season?

The Atlanta Braves acquired Hector Olivera, Zach Bird, and Paco Rodriguez from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Alex Wood, Jose Peraza, and others. The Braves believed they found their third baseman for the immediate future; however, in recent days, the Braves suggest that Olivera may fit better in the outfield for 2016. Olivera recently began Fall League play, and while the Braves state that he will play some third base, they noted that the Cuban might begin a transition to left field.

The Atlanta Braves struggled to find production out of their left fielders in 2015, using a slew of players in the process. Many people believed that prospect Mallex Smith seemed poised to open the 2016 season as the Braves’ every day left fielder. However, it looks like the Braves may try to use Hector Olivera in the corner outfield spot. With Olivera transitioning to the outfield, that leaves a glaring hole at third base that the Atlanta Braves need to address rather quickly.

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The Braves possess two viable, albeit underwhelming, options to man third base in 2016. One path the Atlanta Braves can venture down is using Adonis Garcia at third base. The journeyman produced the best season of his career while a member of the Braves in 2015; however, it is doubtful that the Braves want to use him in an everyday role moving forward. Garcia signed with the Detroit Tigers in 2007, and it was not until 2015 that he made his professional debut.

In 2015, Adonis Garcia hit a respectable .277; however, his on-base percentage did not eclipse the .300 mark, sitting at a lackluster .297. In 58 games with the Atlanta Braves, Garcia hit the most home runs of his career, finishing the 2015 season with 10 long balls. His home run rate seems unsustainable; thus, the Braves likely explore other avenues for the third base job. With Garcia unlikely to assume the every day third base role, that leaves either Rio Ruiz for the job or the Braves entering free agency (or trade market) to acquire a third baseman.

Rio Ruiz comes off of a disappointing 2015 campaign with Double-A Mississippi, but he is not far away from a promotion to the Atlanta Braves. Before being traded to the Braves, Ruiz put together solid 2013 and 2014 seasons, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 140 RBI from 2013-2014. Also, between 2013-2014, he hit in the mid .270s; thus, he presents a viable option at the hot-corner. But, he likely does not open the 2016 season as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

With Rio Ruiz still working on his craft and Adonis Garcia’s best play behind him, that leaves the Atlanta Braves with a third option of pursuing free agency. The free agency pool does not offer much in the terms of third baseman. Gordon Beckham and David Freese headline a weak class of free agent third basemen. Likely, Freese commands a higher salary than Beckham, so could the Braves look to bring Gordon Beckham back to Georgia?

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Gordon Beckham, a Georgia native, played collegiate baseball for the UGA Bulldogs and was a former first round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. Beckham impressed in his rookie season, hitting .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI, but he has not quite lived up to the first round billing. He experienced one of his worst seasons as a professional in 2015; thus, the Atlanta Braves may sign him for a relatively cheap amount.

In addition to Beckham, David Freese presents a nice option for the Atlanta Braves. He spent the beginning of his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the Los Angeles Angels. At age 32, Freese’s best days are likely behind him, but the Braves know what he brings to the table. Per Baseball-Reference, Freese’s 162-game average shows him contributing 15 home runs, 78 RBI, and a .276 batting average. However, he has not played in more than 144 games in his career, so those numbers seems unobtainable.

Next: Rio Ruiz: To Make Atlanta Braves Debut in 2016?

Gordon Beckham looks like a potential bounce-back candidate, and his services likely come at a club-friendly cost to the Atlanta Braves, but do not be surprised if John Hart explores the trade market this offseason for a solid third baseman. Between Garcia, Ruiz, Beckham, and Freese, the Braves have ample options to find the right fit at the hot corner. Keep an eye on this developing situation, because it looks like Olivera is heading to the outfield in 2016.

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