The MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the Braves are expected to be one of the more active teams in baseball.
The two most obvious areas that Alex Anthopoulos can upgrade are the outfield and shortstop, the former of which will be much easier to acquire. Similar to the 2021 trade deadline, Anthopoulos should be in the market for multiple outfielders because there’s an obvious need and they’re usually cheap.
As always, more pitching would be appreciated. Right now, the Braves have a surplus of relievers, with Daysbel Hernandez biding his time in Gwinnett, and the rotation is more than robust with options in Max Fried, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton as the top four.
In the postseason, that’s enough starters, but as we’ve seen, injuries can completely destroy a unit. The Braves very well could be in the market for arms if things go awry.
In an “outrageous trade” from Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, the Braves overkill the rotation and bolster the outfield in exchange for one of their top prospects.
Atlanta Braves Receive: RHP Jack Flaherty, OF Mark Canha
Detroit Tigers Receive: RHP Hurston Waldrep (ATL No. 2 prospect)
Detroit doesn’t have much to offer Atlanta, but Jack Flaherty and Mark Canha are the two that should be on AA’s radar.
Flaherty is amid a quintessential bounce-back campaign on a one-year deal. Injuries derailed a once-promising career, but he’s put together an All-Star caliber performance. In 15 starts, he owns a 3.24 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 1.000 WHIP, and eye-popping 11.6 K/9.
For a Braves club that is struggling offensively, leaning into an elite pitching staff could be a strategy, but I would assume one of their horses went down for an extended period if they’re in the market for Flaherty.
As far as the veteran outfielder, Canha isn’t going to be the entire Braves answer, but he’s got damn near even splits against lefties and righties and has never posted a sub-100 wRC+ over a full season. The Braves could do far worse.
Hurston Waldrep is the Braves’ top prospect on some outlets’ prospects rankings. After making his major league debut, the Florida product hit the IL with elbow inflammation following two outings with a 16.71 ERA.
Still, that’s a high price to pay for an average outfielder and a one-year rental in Flaherty. If the Braves had an obvious hole in the rotation, it would make a lot more sense, and I generally subscribe to the notion that prospects are better served as trade chips than anything, but this is far too rich for short-term solutions.
—
Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.