We are a little over 30 hours away from the MLB trade deadline, and the Braves have yet to swing a deal while many other contenders have already made significant additions. It’s a little surprising Alex Anthopoulos has been this quiet, but it doesn’t mean several moves can’t come to fruition very soon, and a team to keep an eye on is the Chicago White Sox.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Braves and White Sox are amid trade negotiations, and Chicago has several pieces that could interest Atlanta.
Braves and White Sox have been in communication. Uncertain what the focus is but Luis Robert would surely fit ATL (if they were willing to spend — abd that’s a big if!) Crochet, Fedde, Pham also may be of interest to injury-depleted but still contending Braves
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 28, 2024
Heyman added this morning that the Braves are considering Garrett Crochet because of all the injuries to their rotation and the uncertainty surrounding the group in 2025 and beyond.
Braves are among teams considering White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Makes sense for them if they can muster decent return. They have multiple injury losses/concerns at the top of their rotation and Crochet salary ($800K) is very reasonable.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2024
The White Sox have a slew of players expected to be dealt ahead of the trade deadline, headlined by Luis Robert and Garrett Crochet. The Braves need help in both areas, but I would be pretty surprised if they were looking to pull off a blockbuster trade of that magnitude, given they aren’t exactly one piece away from looking like a championship contender. Crochet makes more sense than Robert, but it still feels highly unlikely.
This is a club that could benefit from 4-5 smaller moves rather than one blockbuster acquisition. I also believe the asking price for both Robert and Crochet will be astronomical, given they come with several years of team control, and Anthopoulos generally isn’t one to get in a bidding war.
What’s more likely is the Braves are interested in other members of the White Sox. Tommy Pham, who is a veteran on an expiring contract, makes a lot more sense. He should cost pennies and would significantly help the Braves outfield. Erick Fedde is another potential fit, especially with Reynaldo Lopez expected to join Max Fried on the IL after leaving Sunday’s game with forearm tightness. Starting pitching is now a much greater need than it was a couple of days ago, and Fedde is amid a career year, boasting a 3.11 ERA over 21 starts. He’s also under team control through 2025 and is owed just $7.5 million next season.
Beyond that, the White Sox also have a couple of middle infielders that could intrigue Alex Anthopoulos. Paul DeJong is a dirt cheap option that would be an upgrade over what the Braves currently sport up the middle, and even a reunion with Nicky Lopez makes some sense for depth purposes.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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