Braves Need to Evaluate Options With Ender Inciarte as Trade Deadline Looms
By Ryan Giglio
With just over two weeks to go until the July 31 Trade Deadline, much of the talk surrounding the Atlanta Braves has focused on improving its pitching staff. However, Atlanta has even less time to figure out what to do when Ender Inciarte comes back from the injured list, most likely on Thursday.
Inciarte, 28, has been on the shelf since May 15 with a lumber strain, and Austin Riley, who was called upon to replace him, has been terrific. There's a chance that Inciarte is the odd-man out in Atlanta's crowded outfield.
How should the #Braves handle Ender Inciarte's upcoming return? https://t.co/u7VRB1yuby pic.twitter.com/giTYhsufOa
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 16, 2019
In his first three years in Atlanta, Inciarte has established himself as a gifted centerfielder with a passable bat. He's won three straight Gold Gloves and produced back-to-back 98 OPS+ campaigns in 2016-17. Inciarte's production tailed off in 2018 as his batting average and on-base percentage dropped 39 and 25 points respectively, from the prior year.
Riley's major league career got off to a roaring start, belting 9 homers and 25 RBI in his first 18 games. Since then, Riley has cooled off significantly, hitting 7 home runs and 18 RBI in the next 35 games.
With Inciarte expected to come off the injured list on the Braves' upcoming homestand, Atlanta has the option to strengthen its defense by optioning Riley to the minors, move Acuña back to left and play Inciarte in center. While pitching may be the Braves' biggest need heading into the deadline, a strong defense will no doubt help the pitching staff in the final half of the season. Still, Riley's bat is hard to replace, and the team has performed well with him in the lineup.
The Atlanta Braves are about to have an OF logjam when Ender Inciarte returns from the IL. He’s a controllable hitter the Cincinnati Reds have inquired about previously...would he be a viable trade target? https://t.co/8E35fkTuPC pic.twitter.com/i4GUSvVo3I
— Red Reporter (@redreporter) July 16, 2019
Trade rumors have also emerged, as the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly interested in the speedster. Perhaps the Braves could get someone of value that fills a team need in exchange for Inciarte, should the Reds come calling.
No matter what they do, Atlanta is in good position to win the National League East, as the Nationals are 7.5 games behind the Braves, who own MLB's best record since June 1 at 28-10.