If the Braves Keep Selling...

Nobody knows what the Atlanta Braves are doing over there these days. Living in Atlanta, and owning a baseball related blog, I'm often asked what I think the direction is for the organization. For a long time I would say something along the lines of the team is rebuilding towards the 2017 season when their new stadium in metro Atlanta opens but now I'm not so sure. I don't think Atlanta is going towards the 2017 season, it seems like it's going to take a lot longer to recover from this. After trading Andrelton Simmons and anything and everything not tied down should the Yankees make the phone call to Atlanta and see what they can work out?

What names would the Braves be willing to trade that would interest the Yankees? Shelby Miller, despite his stat line in 2015, is the first name that comes to mind followed by Julio Teheran. Freddie Freeman is likely going to be traded as well, despite what they say, although the Yankees don't need another left-handed hitting first baseman on a long-term deal. Well unless a potential blockbuster could be in the works that includes Greg Bird for both Freeman and Miller.

Miller is entering arbitration eligibility for the first time in his career in 2016 and will not be a free agent until the 2019 season at the earliest. Miller, statistically speaking, had his best season in 2013 when he went 15-9 with the St. Louis Cardinals and possibly had his worst season in 2015 leading the league with 17 losses. If you look at the peripherals though stats like his FIP, WHIP, ERA+, ERA, H/9, HR/9, BB/9 and K/9 among others were either comparable or better in 2015 than 2013. Miller is the ultimate buy-low candidate and could fit the mold for what Brian Cashman is trying to build right now in the rotation.

Freeman and Teheran are likely long shots without giving up Aaron Judge, Bird, Robert Refsnyder and others but I will say this, I would at least considering giving up Bird in a deal that brought Freeman AND one of those pitchers. I would. Would you?