Overlooked former division rival could help Braves outfield woes

Since the Atlanta Braves lost Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris the outfield production has been understandably underwhelming. The offense as a whole has been incredibly inconsistent and looks nothing like the power-fueled dominance of a season ago.

This Braves team is built around pitching, defense, and consistent bullpen production. To have serious postseason hopes it isn't any secret the team is expected to make moves to improve their offensive production.

While there is some speculation the team could look to add a 5th starter, their full attention should be on improving the shortstop and outfield positions. In the outfield, the Braves need to add at least one possible starter and a platoon for Adam Duvall.

The Braves should be looking for a platoon partner for Adam Duvall despite recent struggles

Adam Duvall has been a profound disappointment in a season Atlanta needed the veteran to step up. Recent ABs have been unwatchable against right-handed pitching, with Duvall completely out of sorts.

Despite this, it isn't time for the team to give up on a player who was vital to their 2021 World Series run. Considering Atlanta's lack of depth they shouldn't give up on a player with Duvall's postseason experience and extensive history with the team.

Moving Duvall into a bench or a platoon role should be the goal of the deadline. With this in mind, one buy-low option the Braves could consider is former Met and current Giant, Michael Conforto.

Conforto would be an instant upgrade for Atlanta and offer the team a great bench or platoon piece dependent on the rest of Atlanta's moves. While the splits against righties haven't been great for Conforto this season either, the veteran is a career .259 vs. right-handers and should see some statistical improvements joining Atlanta's lineup.

Despite their struggles, Atlanta's lineup still demands more respect and fear than the Giants can currently muster. Conforto is in the final year of his deal and could be a cheap rental with a high upside.

The move would fit the Braves GM's typical deadline approach adding a player with an extensive resume hoping a change of scenery and better lineup nets better results. This is the approach that brought Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, and Eddie Rosario to Atlanta in a historic 2021 trade deadline.

Michael Conforto should be viewed similarly as a potentially overlooked piece that could fill exactly what Atlanta is missing. Duvall and Conforto would both benefit from consistent days off and the ability to deal with far less offensive pressure. Conforto offers Atlanta a great late-inning pinch-hit option as well.

The only reason this move doesn't make sense for Atlanta is if the recent addition of Eddie Rosario breathes life back into the veteran's career. If Rosario returns to the player, as he was early in Atlanta the Braves can pair him with Duvall and focus on making a splashier deadline addition.

It seems more likely the magic has run out for the Braves and Rosario with the team needing to add a left-handed bat alongside Duvall. If that is the case, Conforto is a cheap option with high upside fitting well into the Braves lineup.

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