MLB Trade Rumors: Hunter Pence and 5 Players the Atlanta Braves Are Targeting
Though it is only late May, the Atlanta Braves are in the thick of things in the NL East and are pushing towards a second consecutive playoff berth.
The Braves are loaded with one of the deepest pitching staffs in the majors. However, their offense has been lackluster thus far.
Current players, like second baseman Dan Uggla and first baseman Freddie Freeman, have not played up to their potential this season. Once summer rolls around, they should start getting as hot as the weather in Atlanta.
Even with Uggla and Freeman producing, the Braves would still have some holes on their roster. The two biggest needs for the Braves are a leadoff hitter and another outfielder.
As always, general manager Frank Wren will be active and try to acquire the necessary pieces to push the Braves over the hump.
Here are five players the Atlanta Braves are targeting.
Coco Crisp
1 of 5
The Braves are in the market for an outfielder, especially one that can hit at the top of the lineup.
ESPN’s Buster Olney suggests that Coco Crisp would be a good addition to the Braves and it’s hard to argue his point.
Crisp is a great leadoff man who has 183 stolen bases.
Crisp would be able to push Martin Prado into the No. 2 spot, which is where the Braves want their left fielder to hit.
Out of all the Oakland outfielders available on the trade market, look for Atlanta to push for Crisp.
Grady Sizemore
2 of 5
Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore is back in 2011 making an impact for the first place Indians.
Thinks are going great in Cleveland now, but if they fall out of the playoff hunt, look for Sizemore to be on the market.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal writes that if Grady Sizemore were made available, the Braves would be very interested to acquire him.
Sizemore would be a good fit not only in center field, but in the leadoff spot for the Braves.
Look for Sizemore’s name to keep floating around the Braves’ rumor mill this summer.
David DeJesus
3 of 5
David DeJesus has been on the Braves’ radar for quite some time.
Before Atlanta acquired Rick Ankiel at the deadline last summer, they were in serious talks with then Royals outfielder DeJesus.
Though teammate Coco Crisp may be a better fit for the Braves, DeJesus could wind up landing in Atlanta due to GM Frank Wren’s familiarity with him.
ESPN’s Jason Churchill also thinks the Braves will be pushing hard for DeJesus at the deadline.
We’ll see if the Braves are able to land him the second time around.
.png?w=256)
Denard Span
4 of 5
Not only does Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal believe that Grady Sizemore is on the Braves’ radar, but that Minnesota’s Denard Span is another possibility.
Like Sizemore, Span is a center fielder who can also hit leadoff—a perfect combination for the Braves.
However, unlike Sizemore, Span plays for a team in last place and looking to shake things up.
If Minnesota keeps faltering, they could be big time sellers at the deadline. Atlanta would be wise to grab Denard Span.
Hunter Pence
5 of 5
ESPN Jayson Stark reports that the Braves have shown interest in the Houston outfielder.
Hunter Pence is making $6.9 million this year, which may be a little steep for the Braves. The Philadelphia Phillies, though, have also shown interest in Pence.
Pence is under contract until 2013 though, which could lure Atlanta into making a deal since he won’t just be a rental.
Pence would be a great addition to the Braves who look to add another outfielder to their roster. However, Houston is almost certain to ask for one of the Braves’ great minor league pitchers, and more.
If the Braves are willing to deal some of their top prospects, they could land Pence and keep him out of Philly.
.png?w=480)
