Braves predicted to replace Ozzie Albies with $116.5M switch-hitter, MVP finalist, 3-time All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Atlanta Braves are a team to watch this offseason, as they could make moves that significantly reshape their roster and position themselves as serious World Series contenders once again. Much of this process will likely begin with finding a new manager.

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“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he’s already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”

Next, the Braves might pursue a trade for one of the game’s best second basemen, which would likely mean saying goodbye to Ozzie Albies.

“The Braves need to rethink their offense, and some sort of swap involving Marte and Ozzie Albies would be a decent foundation for a trade with the D-backs. However, the difficulty for Atlanta would be in adding enough young talent plus Albies to satisfy Arizona,” Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer wrote.

While this trade would send Albies away, he has made it clear that he hopes to remain in Atlanta long-term.

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“Oh, 100% (I hope to stay moving forward),” Albies said. “That’s definitely the dream.”

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The reality is that Albies hasn’t been producing at his previous levels and has battled injuries leading up to this season. Meanwhile, Marte’s situation with the Diamondbacks is going through a period of uncertainty in the clubhouse.

“The All-Star second baseman apologized through an interpreter Monday for missing three games following the All-Star break after flying back to his home in the Dominican Republic — a situation that has apparently been festering in the clubhouse over the past month,” ESPN wrote.

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This trade would benefit both teams. The Diamondbacks aren’t looking to knock themselves out of contention, so acquiring Albies would be a solid move. For the Braves, they’re in a World Series window, and adding Marte to Atlanta would be like having Albies — but ten times better.