With the injuries to Dansby Swanson and Nick Markakis, the Atlanta Braves may need to change their focus a bit at the trade deadline.
Obviously, the Atlanta Braves are actively looking to improve the starting pitching and bullpen as we near the trade deadline.
But recent injuries to Dansby Swanson and Nick Markakis may add another target to their list before next Wednesday.
Swanson injured his heel in Tuesday’s loss to the Kansas City Royals. He sat out Wednesday and was expected to make his return Friday night, but the injury was worse than expected and he could land on the IL.
Markakis was hit on the wrist Friday night and the mood in the locker room after the game makes it sound like it could be a significant injury that also puts him on the IL.
If both of these players have to go on the IL the Atlanta Braves would be losing two of the top five hitters in their lineup.
The depth of the Braves has been a major strength this year, but they may have to consider backing up that depth.
Or they may consider making a complete upgrade at the position altogether.
Either way, the front office has another task to consider as the trade deadline approaches.
They could always just use Johan Camargo at shortstop until Dansby is back. Hopefully Swanson’s injury isn’t one that lingers.
But it might be best to at least trade for some added depth at the shortstop position. Someone like Freddy Galvis would be a great option for the Atlanta Braves to consider.
The Atlanta Braves have plenty of options in the outfield to consider if Markakis is out for an extended period of time.
They could use Austin Riley or call up Adam Duvall. But they may also consider trading for someone like Nick Castellanos who could be an upgrade to the position altogether.
That’s not very likely unless Markakis is ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Atlanta Braves have been pretty fortunate this year in avoiding injuries to its lineup.
In a way, it’s good that these injuries happened now as the Braves can evaluate the severity and decide whether or not they need to make a significant move before the trade deadline.
With no waiver trades in August, many thought the Atlanta Braves would possibly trade for a bat before the July deadline any way as insurance. Now that seems like a must.