There are some very intriguing trade matches for the Braves in the American League. Unfortunately, that league is as watered down as it’s ever been, and with the expanded playoffs, pretty much everyone feels like they not only have a chance to make the postseason but a real shot at working their way to the World Series.
The three teams I’ve been watching closely as the trade deadline approaches are the Red Sox, Twins, and Tigers. The Braves have already been linked to a couple of players on those clubs — namely Tarik Skubal and Sonny Gray. But unless they struggle over the next few weeks, I’m not sure any of them are going to be eager to sell.
The Tigers may have dropped their last two games heading into the break, but they’ve still won 9 of their last 12. That leaves them 6.5 games back in the AL Central and just 3.5 games out of the final wild card spot.
There’s still a chance Detroit trades Tarik Skubal to the highest bidder, especially in a seller’s market, because they know their odds of winning the World Series are slim and he’s almost certainly leaving in free agency. However, there’s now a very real scenario where he goes nowhere — which would only make things more competitive for teams trying to buy starting pitching at the deadline.
The Red Sox have a slew of really intriguing trade candidates at just about every position of need for the Braves, highlighted by Jarren Duran, Sonny Gray, and Aroldis Chapman. The problem is they no longer look like a team that’s even going to consider selling. They’re winners of nine straight heading into the All-Star break and sit just 0.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot.
The same can be said about the Twins. Everybody has their eyes on Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan, but Minnesota held onto them at last year’s trade deadline. If they were willing to take that chance then, they’ll almost certainly do so again. They’re only three games back in the division, and even though they’re a game under .500, they’re currently tied with the Mariners for the final playoff spot.
It’s really a nightmare scenario for the Braves, who need to add significant pieces in several areas. Almost the entire AL may not be open for business, creating a scarcity of options for what could be 20 teams looking to buy. Prices will be sky high — and we know how Alex Anthopoulos feels about overpaying for anything, even when it’s in the organization’s best interest for competing this season.
—
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)