We are quickly approaching the MLB trade deadline, and the Braves will be buyers once again with the hopes of a haul similar to the 2021 class that thrust the club back to the World Series.
At this juncture, Alex Anthopoulos will be looking to upgrade the outfield most importantly. There’s also the possibility of Atlanta’s GM bolstering an already loaded pitching staff because relievers are cheap and the future of the rotation has questions.
However, another area that desperately needs to be upgraded is shortstop. Orlando Arcia may rebound over the second half of the season, but he’s clearly not to be relied upon in the postseason, which should be the goal for the Braves.
This continues a short series where I highlight individual trade targets who CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson mentioned the Braves as potential suitors for, moving onto the highest-profile shortstop that could be on the market. Below are past pieces from the series
Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
Similar to Skubal, the Blue Jays may not be sellers and certainly won’t part ways with Bo Bichette unless a return piques their interest. The Braves could be suitors.
Bichette is a 26-year-old who has proven serviceable in manning the position defensively with well-above-average offense for a shortstop. However, he’s struggling this season. His career average OPS is north of .800 but he is currently sporting a .619 OPS thanks to a .231 average with four homers.
The hope is that he’s bound for positive regression sooner or later. He’s accrued 14.4 WAR over three seasons from 2021 to 2023 while finishing in the top 16 of the AL MVP race each year.
If a trade were to come to fruition, Bichette would solidify the position for this season and next, as he’s under team control for the 2025 campaign. It may work out perfectly too.
The Braves shortstop of the future is currently tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A Gwinnett. Nacho Alvarez could continue to refine his craft on the farm in anticipation of taking over for Bichette, or the Braves could use their top position player prospect as trade bait and extend Bichette as Anthopoulos has done so many times before.
A change of scenery could do Bo Bichette wonders, and how often have we seen struggling players come to Atlanta to find magic?
—
Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.