Re-grading the Braves' unbelievably perfect 2021 MLB trade deadline

With the recent and exciting news that Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson are on their way back to Atlanta after a trade with the San Francisco Giants, we thought it would be fun to re-visit the infamous MLB trade deadline that led to a World Series title.

The 2021 Braves season was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans, which started days before the All-Star break when NL MVP favorite Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his ACL in a freak play against the Miami Marlins. Even though they had lost arguably their most valuable player, it didn't stop the Braves from going out and winning their first World Series since 1995. Without the young sparkplug, 4 players acquired at the deadline stepped up to fill the void and cement themselves as Braves postseason legends.

Joc and his pearls

When thinking about the Braves' 2021 postseason, you can't forget Joc Pederson and his neckless of pearls. The Braves acquired him on July 15th, 2021 through a trade with the Cubs. This was the first trade of many made by the Braves in hopes of filling the void of Ronald Acuna Jr., and he did just that.

While he posted good enough numbers through the end of the season, his playoff impact was felt immediately as he batted .429 with 2 long balls in the Division Series. Joc's playoff rally symbol, his neckless of pearls, has been immortalized in baseball history, as it has been placed in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum as a relic of the Braves 2021 World Series Championship.

Unstoppable Eddie Rosario

Eddie Rosario was another outfielder traded for at the deadline, with wildly unexpected rippling effects for Atlanta. Rosario was officially acquired on July 30, 2021, via trade with the Cleveland Guardians. He was another player acquired to try to help remedy the outfield situation, but he performed in a way that nobody could have ever expected. Eddie was injured at the time of the trade so no one knew what to expect from him. Boy, were fans in for a real treat.

During the NLCS against the Dodgers, Rosario hit an incomparable .560 with three homers in the series, looking almost impossible to get out. He also held a .383 batting average throughout the playoffs, making the already dangerous Braves lineup that much scarier. This incredible performance earned him the NLCS MVP heading into the final leg of the postseason against the Astros.

The return of Adam Duvall

Braves slugger Adam Duvall had been with the team from 2018-2020 and saw mixed results which led to him joining the Marlins at the start of 2021. He appeared in 91 games from April to late July before the Braves took a chance on him again, Duvall was hitting a lot of homers and driving in a plethora of runs.

His defense and offense were perfect additions to an ailing Atlanta outfield. Duvall appeared in 55 games with the Braves for the rest of the season and slashed .226/.287/.513 with 16 home runs and 45 RBI. Adam finished the year with a league-leading 113 RBI and a career-high of 38 home runs.

Two of his most impactful home runs came during the World Series which included the grand slam heard around the world. Duvall set Truist Park ablaze when the ball left his bat that night and a home run he and Braves Country won't forget.

Soler smashes his way to Braves history

When it came down to the final game that mattered in 2021, there was one player who put the nail in the coffin. Jorge Soler was acquired by the Braves on July 30, 2021, through a trade with the Royals. Soler was heavily known throughout the league for his power and ability to hit homers, and he managed to hit a long ball in the biggest at-bat of his life.

In the World Series, Soler stepped up in the biggest way, by hitting .300 with three bombs and a 1.191 OPS. Soler put game six of the 2021 World Series on ice by absolutely crushing a home run over the train tracks at Minute Maid Park. This performance led the Braves to their 4th World Series win and earned him the honor of World Series MVP.

All four of these players were acquired at the deadline and were considered decent at best by most of the league. But they ended up being some of the most important players when the lights were the brightest. This may be the best trade deadline of Alex Anthopoulos' tenure with Atlanta. The 2021 trade deadline as a whole remains an A+.

It is important to remember, especially in a year like 2024 where the Braves are riddled with injuries, that it isn't over yet, and moves at the deadline that may be deemed "not good enough", could be just what the Braves need.

More from House That Hank Built