Heyward and LaStella are Long Gone Fellas

In a couple of big moves this past weekend, the Braves have made two noteworthy trades:

1. Tommy LaStella to the Chicago Cubs for RP Arodys Vizcaino.

2. Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals for SP Shelby Miller and RHP prospect, Tyrell Jenkins. 


While the "Hot Stove" season as they call it is far from over, the Braves have definitely struck at high temperatures. The loss of Heyward leaves a big void. And in this fan's humble opinion, he will be greatly missed.

Yeah, this is just plain wrong!

So now the question is: Who's Next?! The biggest target so far appears to be Justin Upton. I happen to feel that, should the Braves go through with trading Justin Upton, then essentially, Evan Gattis should be safe. Huge emphasis on "should."

Some words from John Hart yesterday do give me a slight shimmer of hope that Evan could be close to the safe zone of remaining an Atlanta Brave next season, due to his power bat and cheap contract:

Does moving Gattis to left field now look like a greater possibility?

“It looks that way. We’ve had conversations with Evan, and he is game-on for anything. And if that is the move that we do make – obviously still have time during the winter – but that is definitely a possibility where Justin Upton would got to right field and Gattis would go to left. We realize that we sacrifice a few things defensively. We have that option. We don’t have it set in stone just yet, but it’s certainly an option.”

Apart of me REALLY wants to believe that the having conversations with Evan are true. But could it still be posturing for a trade? Could John Hart be lying to protect his own interests in dealing Evan? Again, I want to believe not, but we as fans will never know until something happens. 

Could this be Evan Gattis next season?! It's not ideal, but we can only hope so to keep the White Bear!