How should the Atlanta Braves respond after the Acuna news?
By James Kunkle
If the trade deadline was today, I see no reason or rhyme as to why the Atlanta Braves would not be buyers.
As we just covered, the team is still only 4 games back and possibly a 5 or 6 game winning streak from being even with the Mets.
Again we go back to the brutal start to the second half for the schedule and it truly is going to make or break the 2021 Atlanta Braves season. If they come out and go 3-7 over the first ten games, then yeah it might be time to see what you can get for some expendable pieces like Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly, or maybe a contract like Will Smith?
Even if that were to happen, the Atlanta Braves could still theoretically be buyers. My personal belief is I hate the term “seller”. The basis of every trade should be buying, whether its for the now or buying prospects for the future.
With that being said, I think the smart route for the Braves is whatever happens over the next few weeks, the Braves should buy, but just try to acquire players who can not only help in 2021, but 2022 and perhaps beyond.
No one expects the Braves to suddenly be non competitive next year, so acquiring higher end players still makes sense.
Besides, no one can come in and single handedly replace Ronald Acuna who was probably the NL MVP if you buy the notion that Jacob deGrom should not be in the race.
However, acquiring a couple pieces and having the hopeful healthy return for both Travis d’Arnaud and Huascar Ynoa could be enough to light a spark under the team and propel them to October where as we know anything can happen.