Atlanta Braves: Trade Deadline Pieces If The Braves Retool
By Sam Peebles
Obviously, the Atlanta Braves are not going to trade every single player that makes sense to move, but here are the most likely for the Braves to at least try to move.
Adrianza makes a ton of sense to trade here. Teams can always use a dependable utility guy. Adrianza is not the type of guy that is going to put another team over the top, but he is a solid depth option to help competing teams make it through the grind of a long season.
Adrianza is cheap at a pro-rated salary of 1.5 million for 2021 and is a free agent after the year. He has had a down year with -0.3 WAR, but has a history of being above replacement level as a part time player. This is not the type of move that will net a huge gain for the Braves, but if the team can net a lottery ticket type prospect for the future, the Braves should seriously consider it, especially if they are near major league ready.
This is another scenario that is much like Adrianza. Almonte is cheap at a pro-rated 990 thousand dollar contract and will be a free agent at the end of the year. With Almonte now being on the Major League roster and getting some playing time, he could prove to be a solid depth option for a competitive team.
Odds are that Almonte is not the answer as a future Brave. That being said, he also would not net an exciting trade package. However, it would make sense for the Atlanta Braves to take on a lottery ticket type prospect if another team offers one.
Odds are that Tomlin is not going to be on the top any team’s wish list. Let’s be honest, he is having a year to forget with an ERA of 5.68 and -0.1 WAR in 18 games.
However, he does have some things working in his favor that could result in another team swinging a trade for him. Teams are always looking for relief arms. His walk rate has continued to be extremely low at 4.5%, and his contract is extremely cheap at the pro-rated 1 million for this year.
Another thing going in his favor that is desirable is that he has a club option that the team can exercise next year at a very palatable 1.25 million. This would not be an exciting trade for anyone involved, but it is a likely one.