What Should The Atlanta Braves Do With Ender Inciarte?
By Deke Lloyd
With the MLB trade deadline coming up quickly, July 31st, most Braves fans are thinking about what the Braves will be bringing in. However, with one player, Ender Inciarte, the Braves will be thinking about where they will move their former centerfielder.
Ender Inciarte was the Braves starting center fielder on Opening Day. Coming off three gold gloves the past three seasons, Inciarte’s position within the Braves lineup and roster felt pretty secure. Although, 40 games into the season, Inciarte was hitting .218/.300/.323. On May 14th, Inciarte sustained a strained lumbar that put him on the IL. Austin Riley was called up to replace him and played well enough to move Inicarte out of the lineup.
Even with the Austin Riley’s decline from his blistering start, it doesn’t feel like Inciarte has a place in the Braves starting lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Nick Markakis aren’t going anywhere. Even the bench of Matt Joyce, Charlie Culberson, and Johan Camargo doesn’t seem to have any room with those three guys biding for any at-bats they can get. With no room in the lineup or the bench, moving Inciarte of off the team seems likely to be the only move for the Braves to make.
However, Ender Inciarte could be kept on the Braves roster, if Atlanta deems him too valuable to trade or essential to the last season push. As mentioned above, Joyce, Culberson, Camargo already on the bench, there isn’t a lot of room for roster moves. That means the Braves would have to send a reliever down to AAA to make room. As of right now, I don’t think the Braves need to be sending any pitching away. This team needs to add pitching. This means there isn’t any room for Inciarte on this roster.
Ender Inciarte, the three-time Gold Glove centerfield, should have some value on the trade market for the Braves. For any team that is looking for extra outfield defense who can also get on-base, occasionally, Inciarte would be a great fit. However, with the Braves in the market for more pitching, Inciarte could be viewed as an asset.
There hasn’t been much chatter about where Inciarte will go, or if he will go. It’s been mostly chatter about him getting back healthy, which has been an issue. Inciarte went back on the 10-day IL on July 15th. It’s not certain if Inciarte will return for the Brewers series. Getting Inicarte healthy and ready to play seems to be the Braves priority at the moment.
Whether or not the Braves view Inciarte as a trade target is moot. It’s a matter of numbers when it comes to the Braves outfield. There are only three spots, one for Acuna, one for Riley, this season, and one for Markakis. Next season, or near future the Braves have Christian Pache and Drew Waters knocking on the door to come up.
With the outfield full and reinforcements on the way, there is no room for Inciarte. The Braves need to try to move the centerfielder while his value is still somewhat high. Pitching targets for the Braves have included Zack Grienke, Will Smith, Trevor Bauer, or Brad Hand. Inciarte could be added into any of those packages. Ender Inciarte had a good run with the Braves, but now it’s time to move on from him.