Atlanta Braves: Five Moves to Make Before Next Season
By Kit Anderson
- Keep Kemp and trade Nick Markakis
The Atlanta Braves outfield may be above average but it is also an outfield that is becoming old. The Braves need to be proactive with their youth movement and continue to make moves toward long term contention by trading one of Markakis or Kemp.
Their best choice would be to try to trade Markakis considering that they could likely get a return for Markakis. Attempting to trade Matt Kemp would essentially be a salary dump and would likely require that the Braves take on at least a part of the salary that Kemp is owed throughout the next few seasons.
Trading Markakis would likely net the Braves at least a decent prospect if not a player that would be ready to contribute at the Major League level. The Braves infield and up-and-coming prospects are quickly taking over the roster and that trend needs to continue in an outfield that is becoming old.
The one downside to moving Markakis over Kemp is that it is unlikely Kemp still has the ability to play in right field limiting the Braves to looking for an outfielder who can play right field. For those who are wondering Matt Adams is not an option in the outfield for a contending team.