With the MLB Winter Meetings in full swing, all attention shifts to the Atlanta Braves who currently hold the most popular name on the market. The Braves are sellers once again this season and every franchise is paying attention. With many teams not wanting to hand out the marquee contracts to pitchers, Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran are suddenly very popular with trades likely in the next few days.
The attention on Miller is heating up. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times, the Braves are closing in on a deal with the Chicago Cubs that could involve both Jorge Soler and Javier Baez. This trade has been in the works for weeks now as the Braves made it clear they favored the young prospects in a trade for the pitcher. Wittenmyer reports that the inclusion of Baez is what is holding up the trade talks as the Cubs are reluctant to hand over both players in exchange for the pitcher. Miller has the attention of plenty of teams in the league while the Cubs are simply just one of them, but they have the best offer for the Braves as both Soler and Baez could be building blocks for the future.
However, Miller is not the only player getting attention on the Braves roster. Teheran is garnering plenty of interest as well. According to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com, everyone on the Braves' roster not named Freddie Freeman is available in a trade. While Teheran is coming off a down season, he has the long-term success that Miller does not which means he could be more favored in a trade deal.
According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in Teheran. The team originally showed interest in Miller, but might like Teheran's success rate better. Bowman writes that the Braves will not deal to Arizona unless AJ Pollock is included in the deal. The Diamondbacks do not want to part with the outfielder, but the Braves are not lowering their demands for the star. Atlanta is well aware that right now they hold the power and will take full advantage of it.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves are not just looking for youth in these trades. If either Miller or Teheran are getting dealt, at least one of the moves must include a player ready to produce immediately. That would be Pollock from Arizona while Baez and Soler are developing talent. If the Braves cannot get that in a trade, they might stand still on trade moves.
