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Atlanta Braves looking to balance lineup: add a left-handed bat

By Fred Owens

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Would the Atlanta Braves have an interest in outfielder Anthony Santander? Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Back to Baltimore

I have two switch-hitters as potential targets for the Atlanta Braves; the first is Orioles’ right fielder Anthony Santander.

Santander is a 27-year-old switch-hitter, having a season that resembles his 2019 and 2021 campaigns, batting .246/.345/.433/.778, with 12 homers, an 11.1% walk rate and a 20.3% K-rate,
Sabermetrically, he’s posted 124 wRC+, a .343 wOBA, and 0.7 fWAR in 261 PA.

The only issue is his L/R splits, which show more power and significantly fewer Ks from the right side.

He has one minor-league option remaining, earns $3.15M this season, and is under team control through 2024

Would the Os trade him?

Santander hits free agency at 29 years old after the 2024 season. The Orioles may challenge in 2025, but 2026 is a more likely date, and they could ask for a nice return to plus up their farm system at the deadline.

He’s not expensive this year, and the Orioles are more entertaining than in years past. Keeping a player they took from the Indians in the 2016 Rule 5 draft and grew into an everyday player is a sign of that success they may decide to keep.

Proposed Deal:

There was a time when trading Drew Waters for Santander was a non-starter. Today Waters’ star’s slipped, and alone he isn’t enough. You’ll see Waters in most of these trades. Adding Ynoa isn’t a big loss for the Braves as he’s slipped out of the mix for the rotation and needs a new start elsewhere.

Likelihood Santander is traded: 50%.

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