The Braves must add at the trade deadline. They don’t have a choice if they want any chance at winning the World Series this year after losing their two best players — Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider — for the season. It’s not a matter of if they will add, it is who will they add?
For a few reasons, the most likely avenue for the Braves is to play the numbers game. Alex Anthopoulos will likely search for underperforming players or guys on the last year of their deals that won’t cost a lot in terms of prospects. It’s the path the Braves followed in 2021, which led them to the World Series, and it makes even more sense this year because Atlanta’s farm system is in a much worse position now than it was back then because of trades and graduations.
However, if the Braves opt to go a different route in addressing the outfield, the top name on the market at this year’s trade deadline is Luis Robert Jr. It will cost a pretty penny, but MLB insider Jon Heyman sees the Braves as one of six potential suitors for the All-Star outfielder.
This is probably Heyman connecting the dots more than any inside information. Mainly, because the Braves always keep things close to the vest. Information has rarely been leaked since Alex Anthopoulos took over as general manager. But also because the Braves don’t necessarily match up well as a trade partner with the White Sox.
Atlanta’s farm system is among the weakest in the league, and the few prospects they do have, I don’t see them having too much interest in trading.
