Blue Jays shortstop could be the key to fix inconsistent Braves offense

To say frustration with current Braves starting shortstop Orlando Arcia is at an all-time high is an understatement. The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, but one thing is certain, Arcia remains a liability at the plate. His at-bats are giving flashbacks to the days of pitchers walking up to the plate as automatic outs.

Though at least there was a level of entertainment value in watching that day's starter take his ABs. There is nothing fun nor entertaining about the way Arcia is carrying himself at the plate right now. On the heels of a frustrating postseason from Arcia, this season is more than enough reason to move on.

Arcia could still be a valuable bench piece, but the days as a starter for this team should soon be behind him. This leaves the obvious question of who will fill the void. Current top prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. is the obvious answer and who will likely take on the starting role at some point this season. Though looking around the league there is one name that stands out as an unrealistic, but fun possibility.

Bo Bichette could be an instant spark for Atlanta's offense

The Toronto Blue Jays have fallen far back from the third wildcard spot and have every reason to punt on the season. Kevin Gausman and Justin Turner are the obvious veteran pieces the team should consider moving.

Looking at the rest of the roster the only player who appears truly untouchable is franchise superstar Vladimer Guerrero Jr. Toronto's most interesting piece they could opt to move is their young shortstop.

Bichette has one year remaining on his deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Bichette is owed $17 million next year and whatever a team would have to take on to add him to the roster this season.

Atlanta's argument for making this move is simple, the bottom of your lineup is a nonthreat. Going through the last three in Atlanta's order is predictably easy right now. Adding help in the outfield is obvious, bringing in Bichette on top of this changes your team completely.

It allows Nacho to continue his development without facing the pressure of helping save an offense in the postseason hunt and gives Bichette a change of scenery. The shortstop is struggling, however, his career numbers suggest this season is the outlier.

A simple change of teams could be what is needed to break Bichette out of this year's slump. Even if that isn't the case this version of Bichette is far better than Arcia at the plate. The one obvious downside to the move is the step back you take defensively.

Arcia's glove is what has kept him in the lineup and he is a far superior defender. Despite this, if you're giving away outs at the plate your defensive value is offset. Even at Arcia's best, he doesn't have anywhere close to the offensive ceiling of Bichette.

This move is an extremely long shot, but one the Braves should be checking in on. It doesn't block Nacho long-term, gets Arcia out of the lineup, and greatly increases the ceiling of your offense. Aside from the needs in the outfield, Bichette could be the missing piece that finally allows Atlanta's offense to click and get past the first round of the postseason for the first time since their World Series run three years ago.

More from House That Hank Built