If the Braves weren’t considered to be sellers at the trade deadline before today, they certainly might be now.
Brian McCann sustained what is initially being called a mild concussion after being plowed into by the Phillies’ Shane Victorino at a play at home plate today. It appeared that Victorino’s helmet struck him directly in the side of the head, and McCann remained motionless on his left side for a couple of minutes before eventually walking off the field under his own power. He will have testing done tomorrow to determine what, if any, neurological damage is present. The good news is that x-rays of his neck were negative.
With Chipper Jones likely facing a DL stint with a hamstring injury (he still cannot walk without a limp, let alone run or play ball), and and McCann’s immediate status up in the air, it will be extremely difficult for them to make up ground in the division. With the Braves currently 7.5 games out in the N.L. East, and 10.5 back in the wild card race, it seems likely that they will become sellers as the deadline nears.
Fantasy owners will want to keep an eye out for the Mark Teixeira news, as it seems that the trade talks surrounding him will re-kindle over the coming days.
As far as replacing McCann, there are clearly not going to be any catchers on the wire that are going to produce anywhere near what he can, though some decent stopgaps would be Chris Snyder, Chris Iannetta, and Dioner Navarro.
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