The All-Star break has started and the MLB draft is underway. Once the draft is over, it is now officially “trade deadline season” for the Atlanta Braves.
With the trade deadline rumors coming on strong, it is easy to be excited, for good reason. The Atlanta Braves arguably won the trade deadline last year bringing in key players that resulted in the first World Series title in Atlanta since 1995.
Who will the Atlanta Braves target?
First, we should point out that the Atlanta Braves will obviously be buyers at the deadline, if they make moves. This typically means that they will ideally trade prospects that will help a rebuilding team win in the future, for players that can help the Atlanta Braves win now.
The Braves have a solid roster, but could stand to upgrade at the starting rotation and outfield positions.
These are not necessarily areas of need, but with Duvall having an 85 OPS+ (15% below average), Rosario batting .195/.186/.366 since coming back from the IL, and Morton and Anderson having an ERA+ (league average is 100) of 96 and 89 respectively, the Braves have room for improvement.
Don’t look forward to the Atlanta Braves upgrading via these players
While it is often fun to daydream about which of your favorite players could end up in an Atlanta Braves uniform at the trade deadline, sometimes it is best to be realistic and realize that the Braves will not trade for all the big names floating around the rumor mills.
The Atlanta Braves have the highest payroll they have ever had (including inflation), and currently have the 30th ranked farm system prior to the 2022 draft, so their bargaining chips are thin.
With Alex Anthopoulos at the helm, the Braves can’t be counted out on making a big splash at the deadline. However, there are some players floating around the rumors mill that just simply do not make sense for the Atlanta Braves to target this year.