2 players the Atlanta Braves should keep and 2 they should trade
The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and Atlanta is expected to be active during it.
We are now less than a week away from the MLB trade deadline and every move the Atlanta Braves make over the next few days matters. Atlanta has not responded well to the injuries they have faced in 2024 and they have paid the price.
The Braves continue to fall behind in the National League East and their lead for the top National League Wild Card spot has started to dwindle. This trade deadline could make or break the Braves chance at postseason success in 2024. Here are two players the Braves should keep and two players they should trade to get the help they need.
2 to keep, 2 to trade- 4. Eddie Rosario (keep)
Eddie Rosario began the 2024 regular season with the Washington Nationals. After hitting .183 across 67 games, Washington released Rosario and the Braves brought him back to Atlanta. Rosario was a postseason hero for the Braves in 2021 and a big reason why they won the World Series.
Eddie Rosario knots things up for the @Braves. 🌹 pic.twitter.com/EhQrQS3lKf
— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2024
At the end of the 2024 season, Rosario is set to become a free agent again. Since the Braves do not have control of his contract past this year, it would make him a logical trade piece. However, the Braves should retain him.
Eddie Rosario just seems to be comfortable in Atlanta. While his average is still down, he has blasted two homers in just 11 games since his return to the Braves. For the Braves to make a postseason run in 2024, Eddie Rosario needs to be with Atlanta and turn back the clocks to 2021.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 3. Bryce Elder (trade)
It is time the Atlanta Braves move on from the Bryce Elder experiment. Besides the first half of the 2023 season, Elder has been a mediocre starting pitcher. Over the last three years, he has had the constant battle of being called up and being sent back down.
So far in 2024 at the big league level, Elder is 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA. Although those are not attractive numbers, his past success may make him marketable to other organizations. The Braves have enough pitching in the majors and farm system that they can afford Elder's departure.
Bryce Elder was just effective enough in a spot start for the @Braves (5IP 4H 3ER 2BB 1K). He kept the game close which allowed the team to rally. Bryce's slider was especially effective - winning our Starting Pitcher Pitch of the Day for July 8th pic.twitter.com/Lf0EwmbjKi
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) July 9, 2024
Elder has enough upside that there would be teams out there at the trade deadline willing to take a chance on a 25-year-old starter with an All-Star Game appearance. If Atlanta could land a veteran outfielder with some power, like Cubs Cody Bellinger for example, in exchange for Elder, it would be a deal worth making.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 2. Adam Duvall (keep)
This one won't make sense to a lot of people. Adam Duvall is hitting .183 with 8 home runs and 26 runs batted in through 79 games this season. He has had plenty of time to show he belongs on the Atlanta Braves roster but has yet to do so convincingly. However, there are a couple of different reasons why Duvall should stay in Atlanta.
ADAM DUVALL’S HARDEST HIT BALL (112.7 MPH) SINCE 2021‼️👀 pic.twitter.com/Msj0uITPv4
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) July 14, 2024
Much like Rosario, Duvall was a part of the magical 2021 season in which an injury-riddled Braves club captured a World Series title. Now it is not fair to the 2021 Braves to be compared to this year's squad, however, Duvall can provide leadership and guidance in this uphill battle.
Oddly enough, the Braves are struggling to score runs. Atlanta needs to hold on to any piece that has the smallest potential to provide some offense. Even though Duvall has not done much of that so far, given his history, he could be a great right-handed bat to bring off the bench could Atlanta find someone at the trade deadline to take over a starting outfield position. Keeping Duvall may seem less than ideal, but quite frankly, there won't be many teams out there that want him.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 1. A.J. Minter (trade)
This is not what anyone was expecting but the 2024 Atlanta Braves only need to target offense at the trade deadline. Atlanta's pitching staff as a whole ranks 3rd in all of Major League Baseball.
A.J. Minter has been a big part of the Atlanta Braves bullpen for many years now. As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. 2024 may be the time for Minter to move on to new endeavors.
ICYMI last night AJ Minter accomplished something not done by a Braves pitcher almost two decades ago. My latest with @HouseHankBuilt https://t.co/kZyLkNwQyO
— Steven Teal (@realteal09) July 10, 2024
A left-handed power arm that has experience in high-leverage situations (including closing games) could bring a hefty return back to Atlanta. Minter is set to become a free agent at season's end and there is a sense of uncertainty that he and the Braves would come to an extension agreement.
The Braves and White Sox seem to have a good rapport with each other when it comes to making deals. A.J. Minter to the White Sox for Tommy Pham could make a lot of sense for both teams.
Trades are a tricky business and the Braves are in a tough position in 2024. The season feels doomed but it also feels hopeful for a turnaround at any moment. These decisions can make or break a team so it's going to be interesting to see what Alex Anthopoulos and company do.
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