Leading up to the trade deadline, the expectation was that Alex Anthopoulos would be among the busiest GMs in baseball because of all the Braves needs.
The middle infield could have been bolstered with Orlando Arica’s struggles before the deadline and Ozzie Albies’ injury. More than that, the outfield needed a makeover. It was arguably the worst unit in baseball, and the only move Anthopoulos hammered out was a deal with the Giants to bring Jorge Soler back to Atlanta. It certainly helps, but was it enough?
The Braves series against the Marlins is the perfect example of why it wasn’t. Coming into Saturday’s game, Atlanta looked primed to potentially hawk down the division-leading Phillies but failed to put up a single run over the last 15 innings against the Fish across the two final games.
Despite Matt Olson and Orlando Arcia turning things around and Austin Riley staying hot as Hades, the bottom half of the Braves lineup is dragging this team down. Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall have a sub-.600 OPS, while Whit Merrifield and Jarred Kelenic have a sub-.700 OPS.
It’s obvious that the Braves trade deadline and second-half strategy is hope and prayers. Alex Anthopoulos is hoping that some of these guys turn it around. He’s hoping that the Braves get healthy and stay healthy. Hell, he’s hoping that those injured players return and immediately contribute.
Atlanta is now hoping Michael Harris II returns and doesn’t suffer a setback, hoping that he hits the ground running. They’re hoping that an outfield of Harris, Soler, Duvall, and Kelenic is good enough to get them to the postseason.
They’re hoping that Merrifield is good enough to bridge the club to Albies’ return then hoping Albies doesn’t need much time to get into the swing of things. Oh yeah, and they’re praying that no other significant piece goes down with an injury.
Hope is not a strategy. More than anything, it feels like Alex Anthopoulos punted on the season. It could still work out, but sticking with the status quo when the Braves have by far the best pitching staff they’ve had since they started winning division titles in 2018 is unsettling.
—
David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.