The Braves made their first couple of splashes ahead of the trade deadline. The big move being the acquisition of Pierce Johnson, who the front office hopes can turn things around in Atlanta after a shaky few months with the Rockies. The Braves also traded for Taylor Hearn of the Rangers, who adds some depth from the left side to the group. That patches up some of the minor holes on this team, but Alex Anthopoulos suggests more trades could be on the horizon.
According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves don’t appear to be done wheeling and dealing. After talking with Alex Anthopoulos, Toscano reported that the general manager in Atlanta still believes there are areas for improvement, despite the fact that the Braves own the best record in baseball.
Alex Anthopoulos still said he has areas the Braves can improve in his mind. Of course, he did not divulge those. And it wouldn’t do him much good to say the Braves are done. But he was pretty firm that a lot can happen between now and postseason, and that the Braves can improve.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 24, 2023
This should be music to the ears of the fans in Atlanta. Yes, the Braves have the most well-constructed roster in baseball, and frankly, it’s not close. However, that doesn’t usually mean a whole lot come the postseason. Anything can happen in this sport, which is why it is important to be as well-rounded as possible following the trade deadline.
Starting pitching can be expensive this time of year, but the Braves could certainly use another high quality arm in the rotation. If there is a team that knows how injuries can pop up at any given time, it’s the Braves. Their staff has been battered throughout the season and is currently without three starters and four of their top relievers.
Sure, the expectation is for most of those guys to return, but there is going to be more issues over the final two months. This team is great — perhaps the best Braves team ever assembled — but this is an organization with the resources to improve at the trade deadline, and there is no better time to push all of their chips in than right now.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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