By: TJ Hartnett

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Despite having no General Manager in place after the scandal that sent John Coppolella packing, the offseason has arrived and the Braves need to start planning for the 2018 season.

John Hart will be assuming the GM duties until a replacement is hired and assuming he keeps his job, he’s got a few things on his to-do list.

Now the nice thing for Hart or whoever takes over is that the Braves have a lot of pieces to play with.

No, they didn’t have a winning season, but they have young talent, a new ballpark, and a deep farm system to take advantage of during the offseason.

There are a few moves that the front office should make to improve the club if not to contention, then at least to .500 or just above.

One thing should be at the top of the list. The first thing to do is trade Matt Kemp.

Notice that I didn’t say “trade a corner outfielder?” Do not trade Nick Markakis. Trade Matt Kemp. It’s obvious that Ronald Acuna is going to be manning a corner outfield spot come first pitch next year, the question has been which corner?

Nick Markakis’s position in right field seems the obvious choice, given that he provided more value on the field in 2017 than Kemp did, plus he’s only got one year of $11 million left on his contract. He’ll be easier to move, that’s doubtless, but they should move Kemp instead.

It’s a tall order, especially if they hope to get anything of value in return for him. To that I say this: get what you can. Trade this veteran outfielder with some pop in his bat for a single A backup infielder if you have to and eat the contract if it comes to that.  Beyond that, swallow the millions he’s owed and release him, if that’s the only option.

Kemp’s arrival in 2016 invigorated the offense and prior to getting hurt in 2017 he looked like he was hungry for a comeback player of the year award. All that dissipated upon his return. Even if he can return to some form, he’s an injury risk. He’s past his prime and Acuna is waiting.

Markakis, on the other hand, provides consistency. He’s not tearing the cover off the ball or making incredible plays in right, but he’s steady and that’s not nothing.

Markakis is past his prime too, but he’s aged much more gracefully than Kemp. At the very least is worth the money he’s being paid.

He plays hard and plays well and while he’s apparently the quiet-leader-type that the Braves annoyingly have only ever had, the young players certainly can learn from a guy who shows up and does his job day in and day out.

Again, these are all reasons that make him easier to trade but if the Braves truly want to improve their on-field product next season, Kemp’s salary will need to be sacrificed.

Acuna needs a position, under no circumstances should the Braves begin 2018 with both Kemp and Markakis patrolling the outfield.

However, that does not mean that the guy who is easier to trade should be the guy who gets a new uniform. Kemp is much more likely to get hurt and then the Braves will have to find someone to replace him anyway. Instead, give him a fresh start elsewhere. Even if it means releasing him and taking the monetary hit.

The Braves are still a few steps away from contending but they’ll no doubt want to see improvement next year.

Ronald Acuna is the future and nothing is going to prevent him from starting the season in Atlanta; but if the Braves want the best they can get, then he’ll be batting in a lineup with Nick Markakis in it.