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Houston Astros: If Cespedes Signs, Which Outfielder Leaves?

By Issa Cook

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) hits a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) hits a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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If Yoenis Cespedes is Houston Bound, Jake Marisnick would become a Moveable Astros Outfielder

Oct 8, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) reacts after scoring a run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick (6) reacts after scoring a run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

There have been rumors surfacing around Jake Marisnick since last July’s trade deadline, and I believe that a Cespedes signing would only accelerate trade talks between the Astros and other clubs for the young outfielder. It’s definitely unfortunate, as Marisnick plays very hard and seems to give it all he has when he takes the field. But, this is a business, and the fact that he had a solid 2015 season makes him a valuable trade chip.

After making a trade, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow always says the same thing about how trade talks between clubs are always ongoing conversations that develop over a significant period of time. People seem to believe that the Astros have been shopping Marisnick for a little while now, so maybe if Cespedes signs, they’ll finally pull the trigger on an offer.

Marisnick definitely deserves the interest that he is supposedly receiving. The 24 year-old outfielder was a great defender and baserunner for the Astros in 2015, stealing 24 bases and compiling 8 outfield assists as a center fielder. He also hit 9 home runs, 15 doubles, and finished with a 2.2 WAR, the best of his career.

I think the Astros could definitely use a package with Marisnick and a mid-level prospect to acquire a bullpen pitcher. I would not expect the Astros to acquire any big-name talent with a Marisnick trade, but maybe a rebuilding team will be interested and willing to give the Astros some bullpen help.

While scrolling through Twitter and searching around the Internet, the team I found to be most closely associated with Marisnick is the Atlanta Braves, so that’s the team I’ll center a Mock Trade around.

Briefly, I like this trade for both teams because the Braves get Marisnick as an everyday center fielder and Nolan Fontana as a middle infielder that is soon to be MLB ready. For the Astros, Arodys Vizcaino is another flamethrower who can provide quality innings in the bullpen. The Braves have a ton of candidates to replace Vizcaino at closer, so I don’t believe they will be asking much higher than what is offered here.

Next: Shaking Up the Astros Outfield: Evan Gattis

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