We take a look at what it would mean if the Atlanta Braves decide to not make any trades before the upcoming trade deadline.
To be clear, I think Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves will make at least one trade for a starting pitcher before the deadline.
But just how necessary is it that they make that trade? How much difference will it really make?
Let’s continue under the assumption that every is healthy the rest of the way and into the playoffs.
That means Atlanta is pretty much set at every position other than third base. And Austin Riley has shown enough improvement at the plate for me that I would rather see him get those at-bats the rest of the way so we have a better idea of what the future looks like at the position.
A bullpen is always volatile and a couple of key injuries could suddenly shake things up, but again, we’re assuming everyone stays healthy. The Braves currently have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
The biggest area for concern is in the starting rotation where the Braves currently have one guy they can trust in Max Fried.
Ian Anderson looked great in his debut but I’ll need to see more before I’m convinced he can be trusted in a postseason start.
However, if he does look the part and Cole Hamels comes back pitching like he’s capable, suddenly the Braves have a 1-3 in the starting rotation that you can live with in the postseason.
That’s obviously looking at things very optimistically, but it’s also not that farfetched.
So how Aggressive Should the Atlanta Braves Be at the Trade Deadline?
The problem is, every team is a contender for the playoffs, which narrows the field of teams that will likely be sellers.
And of the teams that are sellers, I don’t see too many impact players that are going to make a huge difference.
Trevor Bauer was the only name that really interested me, but after winning a couple of games the Cincinnati Reds are just two games out of a playoff spot and I don’t seem them punting the season.
I think Lancy Lynn is another who could be a difference-maker, but I think the price on him will be astronomically high. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers kept him and tried to content next year.
Other than that you’re really just looking a lot of middle-of-the-rotation arms that will help you get through the regular season but not someone that will have a huge impact in the postseason.
I still think the Braves need one of those guys and will get one before the deadline, but I don’t know how necessary it is.
The Braves are sitting pretty in the NL East despite all their injuries and I have very few concerns about them making the postseason.
Maybe AA has something up his sleeve and will shock is with a huge impact player none of us have considered, but I just don’t see that player out there right now.