Atlanta Braves: Trading Ender Inciarte Would Be a Huge Mistake

The Atlanta Braves off-season is underway and with it plenty of rumors are emerging. Among those rumors is the fact the Braves could be willing to trade starters off their roster, including Ender Inciarte.

Ender Inciarte has been the Atlanta Braves starting center fielder for the last three seasons. During that time he has been one of the Braves most consistent hitters and easily their best fielder.

During his first three seasons with the Braves Inciarte collected 511 hits, including the 2017 season when he had over 200 hits in a single season.

Not only is he a consistent on base threat he is an A+ defender who will save the Braves runs as long as he is roaming the outfield.

Why the Braves would be willing to part with Inciarte is a bit head scratching, considering he is coming off of his worst season (.265) and they are still in need of a third outfielder.

His ability to lead off or hit from the bottom of the lineup helps give the Braves team depth and a consistent lineup. Trading an outfielder like Inciarte would be a bone headed move for Atlanta.

Inciarte at worst is a great defender and good bottom of the order hitter. His contract is affordable and the Braves are unlikely to find comparable value.

Inciarte is worth more to the team then he would be as a trade chip, barring the Braves being able to land a top-20 player in a trade.

Inciarte’s value in Atlanta is the fact he brings a quiet and consistent skill set that helps Atlanta win games. He is a player who contributes more then his stat sheet may show. Whether it is hustling out a single or stretching a single into a double Inciarte hustles and plays hard no matter the score or situation helping Atlanta win games.

The Braves trading one of their best players would be a huge mistake, one they cannot make if they want to return to the postseason in 2019.