As we inch closer to the trade deadline, it’s becoming more clear who will be buying and who will be selling, even if there are still several clubs — ones with a lot to offer — sitting on the fringe. For now, let’s cover the teams that look like they’ll almost certainly be selling and are likely to play ball with the Braves, which means I won’t be including any teams from inside the NL East.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have essentially become a minor-league feeder team at this point, with selling this time of year having become tradition. They don’t have too much to offer, but Mickey Moniak is having a breakout campaign, hitting .277 with 16 homers and an .881 OPS. He could be an upgrade for the Braves in left field. The only issue is some severe split discrepancies away from Coors Field — he’s sporting just a .658 OPS on the road.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants will be selling, and they actually have a lot they could offer the Braves. There hasn’t been much indication of their willingness to move off three-time All-Star Logan Webb, who’s under contract through 2028. But if they were to consider offers, he’d have to be at the top of Atlanta’s wish list. Robbie Ray is the much more realistic candidate among starting pitchers, and keep an eye on Heliot Ramos — he’d be a nice right-handed platoon option to pair with Mike Yastrzemski.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are 6.0 games back in the Wild Card race and look like certain sellers. Brady Singer is likely to be moved — he’d be an upgrade over what the Braves have in their rotation, but shouldn’t be considered a frontline starter. There have also been some rumblings about Hunter Greene, which would be very interesting. However, what it would cost to acquire him makes it highly unlikely he’s moved.
San Diego Padres
Still just 3.0 games back in the Wild Card race with one of the most aggressive GMs in the sport, calling the Padres for-sure sellers is delusional. But they do look like one of those teams that could do a bit of both, with Michael King one of the rumored players they could look to deal. That’s someone the Braves should have a lot of interest in.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels — like every year — will be selling at the trade deadline. The bigger question is how much they’ll sell. Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano are two frontline arms with multiple years of control that the Braves will be calling on. They could also look to move star shortstop Zach Neto, which would signal a complete rebuild.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays could make a run before the deadline and change their mind, but right now, they look like sellers, and they have several intriguing pieces that could work in Atlanta. The two I have my eye on are George Springer and Kevin Gausman. Both are veterans on expiring deals with a wealth of postseason experience who’d fill areas of need for the Braves.
Kansas City Royals
For a team that’s been as bad as the Royals, you’d think there would be a lot of rumblings about a fire sale. That doesn’t appear to be the case, but the Braves should be calling about the availability of Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo.
Oakland Athletics
The Athletics will be selling, but as far as what they have to offer, there’s not much the Braves will covet. Perhaps they could take a flier on a struggling talent like Lawrence Butler, hoping a change of scenery could flip the script on his career.
—
(Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)