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Report: Teams targeting Braves' young stars

Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Atlanta Braves could be on the verge of making a big offseason splash. Teams have the sense Atlanta is willing to trade both right-handed starter Mike Foltynewicz and outfielder Ender Inciarte, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

However, the Braves are apparently making it clear that Foltynewicz is not available, Bowman added.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos wouldn't name specific players but acknowledged that the team is talking about potential trades with other squads.

"We're talking about some things. I wouldn't say we're close. But we've definitely had some conversations about (trading) some players off the big league team," he told Bowman.

Foltynewicz, 27, had the best season of his career in 2018 and was the Braves' best pitcher. He was 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 31 starts.

Were the Braves to switch gears and make Foltynewicz available, Bowman suggests that the team would be either looking to fix multiple weaknesses or have another deal in place to replace him with an ace-like starter.

The righty is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility, and isn't slated to hit free agency until 2022.

Inciarte, whom they acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Shelby Miller trade in 2015, was an All-Star in 2017 and has won three straight Gold Gloves. Last season, he hit .265/.325/.380 with 10 home runs and 28 stolen bases. The 28-year-old is under contract through 2021 with a $9-million club option for 2022.

Another player who could be moved is left-handed starter Sean Newcomb. He's been mentioned in trade conversations and could be a possible piece in a deal for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, sources tell Craig Mish of SiriusXM.

The 25-year-old Newcomb was effective in his second major-league season, going 12-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 31 games. He has more years of team control remaining than his peers and isn't eligible for free agency until 2024.

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