Atlanta Braves: 2 Trade Deadline Moves to Be Contenders

We go through your answers on Twitter to see what two moves the Atlanta Braves could make at the deadline to become World Series contenders. 

The Atlanta Braves remain a longshot to reach the postseason in 2021, but the NL East is still somehow within their grasp if the right moves are made at the trade deadline.

I somewhat jokingly tweeted out from the Tomahawk Take account on Monday what two trades the Braves could make to turn them into a World Series contender.

To me, it was a joke because I think this team is more than two big moves away from becoming World Series contenders.

However, two big moves could certainly help in their pursuit of winning the NL East and reaching the postseason for the fourth straight year, which does hold a lot of value.

We got over 60 responses on the tweet — some real, some funny. I’ll comb through them all and go over some of my favorites.

The first one might be the best and one that would actually make me believe this team can win this year.

Joey Gallo would provide some much-needed thumb and OBP to the lineup and is the big bat the Braves have been needing.

While Craig Kimbrell would certainly be the missing piece in the bullpen, which would allow others to move into more comfortable roles.

Both also have team control through next season; although Kimbrel would be pretty expensive at $16 million. I’m not sure the Braves can afford to pay Will Smith and Kimbrel a combined $29 million next year.

And Gallo would be in his final year of arbitration where he’d likely make around $10 million.

Not only would trading for those two be hefty in terms of money, but both would also take a pretty good prospect since they’re two of the most sought-after trade candidates at the deadline.

Keviñ (@ChikinChop_ – Richard Rodriguez and Starling Marte

I’m certainly all for getting Starling Marte, I’ve wanted the Braves to get him for a while now.

However, I’m not sure about Richard Rodriguez — his metrics have not been great over the past month.

This is the Dollar General version of the Gallo/Kimbrel trade suggestion.

Chris McCarver (@upgdot) said Marte and Kimbrel, which I think would be very solid as well and might not cost the prospects that Gallo/Kimbrel would.

I’m 100 percent with this comment here:

There were a lot of mentions out there for Jose Ramirez from the Indians (er … Guardians). I just don’t see the fit there now with how Austin Riley has performed.

And I don’t see them moving Riley back to the outfield.

Byron Buxton was a popular name and someone I’d love, but that does come with a lot of risk. He’s played more than 100 games in a season once over seven big league seasons.

And the Twins asking price for him will likely be very high as he’s one of the best in the game when he’s actually healthy.

A few people mentioned Max Kepler, who I wrote about the other day.

The only move mentioned that might be able to make this team World Series contenders was this one:

And even then, I’m not sure that’s enough.

That was kind of the point of the tweet. And I saw some people commenting the tweet was stupid because there aren’t two realistic moves that make this year’s Braves team World Series contenders — and that’s exactly the point I was trying to make.

And that’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves do nothing this week and just let things play out with what they have.

But if they really wanted to try and win the division this year and get back to the postseason, some combination of Gallo or Marte and Kimbrel would be the best scenario.