3 Dream Targets for the Atlanta Braves at Trade Deadline
Let's treat the upcoming trade deadline like it's Christmas in July. Here is a list of players the Braves could be dreaming about acquiring before or on August 1st.
The Braves were able to snap a 4-game losing skid on Thursday afternoon to improve their record to 62-33. They remain one of the favorites to bring home a World Series championship in 2023 but will still be shopping for options that could put them in a league of their own.
Here are three players that could do just that.
1. Josh Hader
To date, the Braves bullpen is banged up. Kolby Allard, Nick Anderson, Jesse Chavez, Dylan Lee, and A.J. Minter are all on the injured list. In addition to not being healthy, the Braves bullpen has looked shaky at times since the all-star break.
Josh Hader was one of the best closers in the game with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2017-2022. He was dealt to the San Diego Padres in 2022 where he struggled heavily. His ERA in a Padre uniform rose to 7.31 in 19 appearances.
In 2023, Hader has returned to form, collecting 23 saves and posting an ERA of 1.00 in 36 innings pitched. He has also punched out 54 batters this season.
Hader could provide more stability in the closer role for Atlanta and give Rasiel Igelasis a chance to move to a setup man.
There's no doubt Hader would make any team better but his asking price will be STEEP. The Braves may not be able to package what the Padres would want for Hader, hence why Hader in Atlanta would be a dream.
Every Josh Hader strikeout in a Padres uniform this season pic.twitter.com/XcwIgfPm36
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) November 1, 2022
2. Cody Bellinger
Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. have center field and right field under control for the Atlanta Braves. Left field could use some improvement and nothing against Eddie Rosario, Sam Hilliard, and Kevin Pillar, but these guys fit in better as role players.
Cody Bellinger has played the majority of his innings as a center fielder, but could easily make the transition to left. Bellinger is on a 1 yr/$17.5 million deal with the Cubs. He is hitting .311 with 12 HR and 35 RBIs this season.
The power of the left-handed swing Cody Bellinger possesses would immediately fit in with the rest of Atlanta's sluggers. Truist Park as a home stadium for a hitter like this would be a dream as well with the way the ball carries out to right field in the Chop House.
Bellinger is a trade target that is a little more realistic given his current contract and Cubs sitting at 45-50. They may consider moving him before he walks and they get nothing in return.
HE IS THAT GUY.@Cody_Bellinger pic.twitter.com/hx0jomCtA3
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 15, 2023
3. Shohei Ohtani
Are the Braves the favorite to land superstar Shohei Ohtani? Plain and simple, no. Ohtani will cost a ton. It will most likely take multiple top prospects and a couple of proven MLB players to acquire Sho-time. Should that be something Alex Anthopolus should still consider? Maybe, maybe not. That won't stop us from dreaming.
Something to keep in mind with Shohei Ohtani is the fact that the Braves would essentially be getting two players in one. They would be getting the MLB leader in home runs AND a pitcher who is fourth in all of baseball in strikeouts.
As a pitcher, he is 7-5 with a 3.50 ERA and 139 strikeouts. As a DH, his average is .306, he has belted 35 home runs to go along with 76 RBIs. Oh, by the way, he has also stolen 11 bases. These are Babe Ruth numbers.
No, the Braves aren't the favorites to get Shohei Ohtani but it's not impossible. If there is a chance that Ohtani could sign with Atlanta long-term, AA could look for a package to offer the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani is a competitor and wants to win. What better place to do that in the coming years than Atlanta? With a team that has players like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Sean Murphy, Michael Harris II, and Spencer Strider under contract for a while, Shohei Ohtani could be the icing on the cake to officially make them a super team.
Shohei Ohtani's 35th homer ties it! pic.twitter.com/3wccZuxMWn
— MLB (@MLB) July 18, 2023
What are the chances these trades happen?
Out of these three players, the Cody Bellinger trade would make the most sense for the Atlanta Braves. The Chicago Cubs would likely get what they can for Bellinger now and move on. Even if it is not to the Atlanta Braves, look for him to get moved at the trade deadline.
While Josh Hader would be a great fit for the roughed-up Braves bullpen, the asking price for a closing pitcher will probably be much higher than Braves' GM Alex Anthopolus is willing to pay.
All of the franchises that constantly dish out huge contracts (Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Padres) seem to constantly be brought up in the conversations concerning Shohei Ohtani. Money talks and it is anticipated that Ohtani will sign the largest contract in MLB history when he becomes a free agent in 2024.
If Ohtani cares about winning as much as he does the dollar signs, do not be surprised if the Braves are at least mentioned in rumors over the next few weeks.