The Atlanta Braves have an opportunity to snatch up one of the league's consistent outfielders in Andre Ethier, if they are willing to pay the price. The Los Angeles Dodgers are rumored to listening to deals for the 30-year-old right fielder.
Before you get your hopes Braves Nation, there are three things that won't work for the Braves in this deal. Firstly, Ethier is left-handed and they want a right-handed outfielder to lead off. Secondly, the Braves wouldn't like keeping him for the entirety of his contract as Either won't be a free agent until the 2018 season. And last, but not least, Ethier is due $100 million in the next six years.
Over the next five seasons, a Braves player will not exceed $16.5 million dollars in a yearly salary. B.J. Upton will match that total in the final year of his contract. $16.5 is what Ethier is set to make on average for the next six years.
Now, in case the Braves like something about acquiring Ethier, here is a short list of positives.
He only missed out on 13 games last season, proving he is durable. He hit .284 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI. Ethier can play the outfield well committing only three errors in 244 chances. The fact that he makes contact and gets hits is a plus for the Braves. His numbers prove that he is solid and a sound player all around.
However, in 2016 and 2017 Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman become free agents. Chances are the Braves will not want to part ways with these guys unless they have deeper talent in the minors, but Heyward and Freeman look like special talents.
The only way Ethier might wear a Braves jersey at the start of the season is if the Dodgers give them a great discount and eat up a good portion of his contract. Spending is not on the Braves agenda for now and hasn't been in the past.
Anyways, the Braves' best asset is pitching and the Dodgers are beyond fully staffed right now. Who would they send over in a trade, Tyler Pastornicky?
As attractive as Ethier's numbers look and could help out the Braves, this doesn't seem like a realistic deal that will get done. Still prefer a deal for a leadoff guy like Emilio Bonifacio or Dexter Fowler.