The Atlanta Braves starting pitching has been pretty good over the past few weeks, leading one to think that the biggest needs to fill before the trade deadline would be a bat and a few bullpen pieces.
Perhaps a call to the Colorado Rockies from the Atlanta Braves would make sense, and hopefully propel us to a “story”-book ending.
After all, they took the All-Star game from us, so maybe a slight repay is in order. One could hope right?
Yes, we are suggesting that the Braves make a play for possibly the biggest bat to move over the next few weeks, Trevor Story.
Story is in the final year of his contract with the Rockies, a Rockies team that is going nowhere in a loaded NL West that needs to trade away veterans for some younger players, especially some young pitchers.
The Braves do have Dansby Swanson to cover shortstop, and for the most part, he is an underrated defensive player. I would have no doubts about Trevor Story’s ability to be able to play third base. Of course, the Braves would have to move Austin Riley back out into left field, but that in itself would be an upgrade over Almonte at the moment… and possibly Orlando Arcia.
Adding Story and his soon-to-be 150 career home runs would be a boon for this offense that — let’s face it — can be feast or famine after the 4-spot in the Braves lineup.
As we said earlier, Story is in the final year of his contract, so it would be a rental. Obviously, if things were to all work out it would be fantastic for the Braves to get Story for the long term but they have more pressing needs — like extending Freddie Freeman.
A couple more things before we get into the details of what a potential deal could be though.
The Rockies are not going to deal him before the All-Star game, as he was recently announced as a derby contestant in the home park for Colorado.
Also, for this move to make any sense, the Atlanta Braves have to be within 5 games of the division lead when a deal could be consummated.
As most everyone knows though, the number one need for the Atlanta Braves has to be bullpen help. This bullpen has been a disappointment and quite frankly has cost this team a few wins that could prove to be precious at the end of the season.
Well, it just so happens that the Rockies might have a player who could start the help there as well.
Enter Mychal Givens.
The former Baltimore Orioles closer has been a decent producer in the Rockies bullpen so far in 2021. Just like Story, he is also a pending free agent at year’s end.
He could be inserted into the late innings for the Atlanta Braves and hopefully produce better results than what they are currently getting at the back end.
Obviously, the big question would be the cost. Both players, despite their talent, becoming free agents in just a couple of months obviously drops their value. The Rockies will probably move both to get some sort of value in return instead of letting both players walk for nothing in return.
According to baseballtradevalues.com a proposal like the following should probably be close to something that would get the job done.
If the Atlanta Braves were to add Trevor Story, they would unquestionably have the best offense in the NL East, and adding Givens would be a start for the bullpen.
With the way the 2021 season is going so far, this is the type of trade that the Braves might have to make if they want to try and recreate the magic of the 2020 postseason again.
Let us know in the comment section if you would be for this trade or if the Braves should go for more long-term players over the next month.