San Francisco Giants: Building a trade with the Atlanta Braves

San Francisco Giants Trade Proposal #1

To Braves: LHP Madison Bumgarner, LHP Will Smith
To Giants: RHP Kyle Wright, LHP Kolby Allard, 3B CJ Alexander

In my opinion, even after Bumgarner’s bashing last night, a return package for Smith and Bumgarner on their own should net at least a pair of 45 level prospects with the potential to nab a low-end 50 future value prospect. Thus, to justify combining the two, it would take a 55 prospect as a centerpiece.

Few teams have the system depth to make it plausible to part with a prospect of that caliber. However, the Braves have at least four prospects with 55 FV grades from every major publication and multiple right-handed pitchers. I’m higher on Ian Anderson than Kyle Wright, but either one would be a fantastic get for the Giants.

Wright was selected fifth overall by the Braves in the 2017 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt and he’s already at Triple-A. However, his 2019 season has not gotten off to a great start. Through 11 starts, Wright has a 6.08 ERA. Still, his strikeout and walk rates are solid and the 23-year old still is showing a legit three to four-pitch mix that has frontline projection.

Southpaw Kolby Allard has had better results at Triple-A this season. He’s averaged over 5.5 innings per start and held opponents to a 3.92 ERA. That said, he’s a pitchability lefty with limited upside. His fastball works from the high-80s to low-90s and while he has an above-average changeup and curveball, he needs to maintain plus command to be effective.

CJ Alexander was a 20th-round pick in last year’s draft who played his way into starting this season at Double-A. He struggled through the early part of the season before ending up on the injured list. He projects as an above-average defensive third baseman with a good feel for hitting, albeit with limited power.

The Giants would be getting two pitching prospects who are already at Triple-A—one who projects at the front of the rotation and another likely set to be a backend starter—alongside a solid position player.

It wouldn’t shock me if the Braves decide to rely on their homegrown talent to fill out their rotation, but if they want to be aggressive, this could take two of the best arms available off the market.

There is also a far more likely and considerably more “boring” fit between the two teams.