3 Deals the Atlanta Braves Need to Be Chasing at the Winter Meetings

The direction the Atlanta Braves are headed became clear after general manager John Hart traded Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.

Hart demonstrated a clear need for the Braves to get younger and build up a farm system that is not as strong as it's been in years past.

With that being the case, the Braves are likely not done selling on the trade market.

The biggest chip the Braves can offer is outfielder Justin Upton, and it would make sense for the team to move him as he is set to hit free agency after this season.

The Braves could also look to move Evan Gattis with prospect Christian Bethancourt waiting to take over the catcher position.

With these two guys as potential trade pieces, here's a look at a few deals Hart should be exploring this offseason.

1. Justin Upton for Taijuan Walker

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

This trade would made sense this offseason on multiple levels.

First, the Mariners and Braves each have what the other lacks. The Braves are looking for young pitching, while the Mariners are looking for right-handed power.

Secondly, the Mariners had actually agreed to trade Taijuan Walker to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Justin Upton in the 2013 offseason, but Upton exercised his no-trade clause to nullify the trade.

It appears to be a match made in heaven, as Walker possesses the stuff to potentially be a top-end starter.

One thing that could get in the way of this deal getting done is the recent signing of Nelson Cruz by the Mariners.

While this could prove to be a stumbling block, it should not be ruled out at this point. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes the team will make a move to add another right-handed hitter to the lineup:

"

Don't rule out #Mariners; looking to add more than 1 RH power bat RT @SportsNation365: @DOBrienAJC If Cruz to Seattle, who' in play for Jup?

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) December 1, 2014"

Hart should be monitoring this deal closely.

2. Justin Upton for Marcus Stroman

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Trading for Marcus Stroman would be a tougher deal for the Braves to make, as he's had more MLB success at this point of his career.

The 23-year-old was up and down in his first MLB season, but overall, he ended up posting decent numbers with a 11-6 record and 3.65 ERA.

Like Walker, Stroman also possesses nasty stuff that could make him a top-end starter down the road.

For the Blue Jays to part ways with Stroman, they would have to be sold on young pitchers Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris as being major factors in the rotation.

They would also have to realize their increasing need to keep pace in the American League East, where Boston and New York are always heavy players in the offseason.

Stroman would be tougher to pull for Hart, but he fits exactly what the Braves are looking for this offseason in building toward the future.

3. Evan Gattis for Andrew Heaney

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

This trade would be a tough move for the Braves to make since they'd be playing against Evan Gattis for the next few seasons.

However, the Marlins would also have to hit against a formidable left-handed pitcher with strikeout stuff.

Andrew Heaney is considered the top prospect in the Marlins organization and the No. 18 overall prospect, according to MLB.com.

The 23-year-old throws a mid-90s fastball with a slider and changeup to give him three quality MLB pitches.

Meanwhile, the Marlins have looked to shift into win-now mode after a solid 2014 season.

This trade would be tougher to make, but it would fit the mold of getting younger and building toward the future, which is what Hart is looking to accomplish this offseason.