Cameron Maybin has been one of this year’s biggest surprises for the Atlanta Braves, but could the Braves sell high on him this summer?
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, it doesn’t look like it.
By the way, on Maybin: He's been playing well for the Braves and ATL not open to dealing him now.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 6, 2015
Through 73 games this season, Maybin has hit .294/.363/.416 with seven homers and 15 steals, a far cry from the .222/.280/.615 line with two homers and eight steals he posted in 109 games over 2013-14. Maybin missed time over those two seasons because of a right wrist impingement that eventually required surgery, a sprained left PCL, and a torn biceps tendon in his left shoulder. He also has a PED suspension on his ledger, earning a 25 game suspension last July for amphetamine use.
Maybin is owed $8 million in 2016, and the Braves hold a $9 million option (with a buyout of $1 million) on him or 2017. All things considered, that salary is actually pretty reasonable given Maybin’s performance. His overall stat line is pretty impressive considering that the Braves regarded him as a bench bat to start the season, giving him just 40 plate appearances in April as veteran Eric Young Jr. was handed most of the playing time to start the season.
But wouldn’t selling high on Maybin make *a lot* of sense? There’s a chance he could go into the All-Star Break with the third-highest plate appearance total of his career, behind just his 2011 and 2012 seasons in San Diego. We’re in the midst of a sellers market, and plenty of teams (hello, Angels) could use some help in the outfield. Atlanta also has plenty of prospect outfield depth in the upper minors, including converted infielder Jose Peraza and another ex-Padre, Mallex Smith.
Then again, teams are well aware of Maybin’s injury history, and probably not willing to give up all that much for him this summer. And quite frankly, I don’t blame them – if a team like say, the Giants would be interested in Maybin, they’d want a guy they’re sure can play in ~70 games in the second half, and I don’t think Maybin is necessarily that guy.
In short? Wait a few months, Braves. If Maybin stays healthy throughout 2015, maybe a team would be interested this winter. If he’s not moved and stays healthy through the first half of 2016, move him at next summer’s trade deadline…even though he’ll have one less year of control under his belt.
