For a couple of reasons, the Braves are two weeks away from having a much different look. On the injury front, Michael Harris II is set to return soon following the All-Star break. That will be a massive boost, and the trade deadline also offers an opportunity for the Braves to better themselves, just like it did back in 2021.
Alex Anthopoulos is always wheeling and dealing, and it’s not going to change this time around; in fact, the expectation is that Atlanta will be as active as any club on the market because of its holes offensively.
The outfield needs the most help, in terms of bodies, but shortstop might be the weakest link of the position players. The pitching staff could be bolstered as well. Given how cheap relief help can be at the deadline, Anthopoulos could strengthen an already stout bullpen, and an extra starting pitcher would give the Braves much-needed insurance in case one of their top horses were to go down over the second half of the season.
An interesting approach that Anthopoulos has taken in the past is filling future needs before they become apparent. He could do the same thing at the 2024 deadline to address future roster holes that could appear in 2025.
For instance, while Kenley Jansen was on the team, the Braves acquired Raisel Iglesias, who had multiple years left on his contract. Jansen left in free agency, and Iglesias bumped into the closer’s role. Similarly, Atlanta traded for Pierce Johnson and Joe Jimenez, who were on expiring deals but were given new deals the following offseason.
The Braves have needs to fill in 2024, but a couple of them will exist in 2025 as well, namely the outfield. With Ronald Acuna Jr. on the shelf with another ACL injury, Anthopoulos will have to work some magic.
Acuna could be relegated to a DH role to protect his knee, which Marcell Ozuna currently occupies. At the minimum, the Braves will likely need another starter to pair with Michael Harris II and Jarred Kelenic in 2025. That could mean Alex Anthopoulos might prefer an outfielder with multiple years of control at this year’s trade deadline.
The starting rotation might be even more dire of a situation when talking about the future. The current crop of starters is more than enough to propel the Braves to a World Series if injuries don’t arise. However, with Max Fried‘s free agency and Charlie Morton‘s retirement looming, it’ll be at the top of Anthopoulos’ to-do list in the offseason. I didn’t even mention Spencer Strider returning from injury either.
The bullpen is probably the strongest unit on the team, so it would be strengthening a strength if Anthopoulos were to acquire another reliever at the deadline. With that being said, AJ Minter is set to hit free agency and has been Atlanta’s most reliable reliever since 2021. Orlando Arcia also cannot be the Braves starting shortstop heading into 2025. So, whether they address it now or in the offseason, that must happen before the start of next season.
The Braves’ focus will be on 2024, but if Alex Anthopoulos can kill two birds with one stone at this year’s deadline, that would be ideal.
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David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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