The Atlanta Braves entered the offseason with a huge need at shortstop. Their first move was to trade for Mauricio Dubon, but he wasn't the planned solution.
Ha Seong-Kim and the Braves agreed on a $20 million contract this offseason, but, in a massively unfortunate situation, Kim suffered a torn tendon in his middle finger and is now out for at least four months.
Now, with a huge need at shortstop, the Braves could begin exploring additions. That's why ESPN's David Schoenfield proposed one trade, a wild intra-division deal with the Washington Nationals, for All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams.
Braves trade proposal lands CJ Abrams from Nationals in wild intra-division deal
"Washington Nationals trade SS CJ Abrams to Atlanta Braves for LHP Cam Caminiti, RHP Didier Fuentes, IF Nacho Alvarez Jr.," Schonefield proposed.
This would not just be a blockbuster trade, but a stunning one with the intradivisional nature of the deal. Schoenfield explains his reasoning, which helps make the case for why this might not be as far-fetched.
"Intradivision trades of this magnitude are rare, so the Braves would have to be desperate to add a shortstop," Schonefield writes. "But they might be desperate."
The Kim injury, which he sustained after falling on ice in Korea, is a brutal twist for the Braves to deal with this offseason. They signed Jorge Mateo to add some depth, but the Braves might need to solve the problem in a bigger way.
Abrams would be a massive commitment for the Braves, as the 25-year-old All-Star shortstop is under club control for three seasons, as opposed to Kim, who's under contract for one year.
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Abrams is a .249 hitter with a career .717 OPS in four seasons in the Majors. His production with the Nationals over the last three seasons, putting up at least 3.4 bWAR each year, is a good mark worth investing in.
But what about the cost? Cam Caminiti is the Braves' top prospect and is only 19 years old. Trading him would be a big risk, but for Abrams, it might not be a bad idea.
But, he's not the only one involved in this deal, with Fuentes and Alvarez also being trade pieces in this trade proposal.
Fuentes is only 20 years old and is a top prospect of the Braves. Alvarez Jr. is 22 years old, and in two years in the Majors, he has a .216 batting average with a .575 OPS. He was also once a top prospect for the Braves.
This trade proposal from ESPN's David Schoenfield is a wild one. While it might not be realistic, with the intra-divisional nature of the deal, it's still an interesting hypothetical with the Braves now pressing need at shortstop after the Kim injury.
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