The trade deadline is just two days away, and the Braves’ rumors have officially begun, as Jon Morosi reported earlier today that the Braves are interested in right-handed pitcher Dylan Bundy of the Angels. However, if you’ve been an avid follower of the Braves, especially since Alex Anthopoulos took over as the GM, you know most trades are never revealed before they are official. Anthopoulos is working all the lines as we speak, and by Monday’s trade deadline, I expect the Braves to have at least one more starter on their roster.
Kyle Seager or any Third Baseman
I’m going to squash this bug real quick. The Braves should not and will not be trading for a third baseman. Their lineup is about to get even more potent once Ozzie Albies returns, and Austin Riley has been fantastic over the last month. Had Riley continued to struggle; maybe the Braves would have some interest in Seager, who is having a tremendous 2020. But with the way Riley has played in August, there’s no reason to take on a contract like Seager’s or give up prospects for a third baseman.
Buy or Sell:Â Sell
Trevor Bauer
Bauer might be the most talented pitcher that could be dealt at the trade deadline. He’s on the last year of his contract, and the Reds have underachieved. However, because there is an expanded playoff format, Cincinnati finds themselves just a game outside of the final postseason spot, which means they are going for it, according to Jon Heyman.
Reds are planning to go for it — meaning buy, not sell. So ace Trevor Bauer is likely to stay put. Reds mainly need to get hitters and relievers to play to their abilities. They are underperforming at 13-17 but are only 1 game out of 8th playoff spot.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 28, 2020
The Red aren’t going to be selling at the trade deadline, so I’m selling the idea of Bauer coming to Atlanta.
Buy or Sell:Â Sell
Lance Lynn
With the Rangers looking like longshots to make the playoffs, they have to be listening to offers on Lance Lynn, as his value could not be higher right now. They don’t have to deal him. Lynn is under contract through 2021. However, after the Rangers decided not to trade Mike Minor last season when his value was at his peak, they probably should have learned their lesson. They likely won’t be competitive in a division that features the Astros and Athletics next year either. Lynn should be on the move at the trade deadline, and the Braves should be very interested.
Buy or Sell:Â Buy
Dylan Bundy
As I said in the opening, the Braves reportedly have interest in Bundy, who is having a breakout campaign of sorts for the Angels, boasting a 2.58 ERA in seven starts this season. The Angels should be 100% selling all pieces that aren’t locked up long-term, so this makes a ton of sense for both sides.
Buy or Sell:Â Buy
Robbie Ray
The Diamondbacks are falling out of the playoff race. Now sitting at 14-19 on the season, they will likely be selling, and they might as well see what they can get for the talented Robbie Ray. The southpaw has been extremely disappointing in a contract year, posting a 7.84 ERA. He has a lengthy track record of success, and he could be a quality buy-low option for the Braves if Anthopoulos doesn’t want to give up any top prospects.
Buy or Sell:Â Buy
Mike Clevinger
There is no doubt that the Indians are listening to offers for Mike Clevinger. And with all of the starting pitching in Cleveland, they will part ways with him if the right offer comes around. Unfortunately, for teams inquiring, the right offer will have to be “ridiculous.”
Report: Indians' Asking Price For Mike Clevinger "Ridiculous" https://t.co/FcEg8sVcWN pic.twitter.com/vnA5Jd8raU
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 28, 2020
Clevinger has been a 4-5 WAR player over the last two seasons and still has two years of control remaining after this year. The Indians are right to have an extremely high asking price, and I don’t see the Braves — or any team for that matter — meeting it.
Buy or Sell:Â Sell
Johnny Cueto
I’m not sure the Giants will 100% be sellers. At 15-18, they still have a chance at the postseason. However, if they learned anything from last year, they should be, and Cueto is an intriguing trade target. After back-to-back injury-marred campaigns, he’s finally been healthy and has a 5.40 ERA this season. If the Giants were to eat a reasonable chunk of his contract, there could be some suitors. I just don’t see the Braves being one of them.
Buy or Sell:Â Sell
Kevin Gausman
Another San Francisco Giant, Gausman is on a one-year deal and having a good 2020, recording a 4.54 ERA in seven games (six starts). However, as I said, the Giants may not be selling, and we’ve seen first-hand what Gausman brings to the table. He’s not going to move the needle much for the Braves, so I don’t think there will be much interest.
Buy or Sell: Sell
Matthew Boyd
Last year, Boyd was a highly coveted trade target. That won’t be the case this season, as the southpaw has a 8.48 ERA in seven starts for the Tigers after struggling down the stretch in 2019 as well. That makes him an intriguing buy-low option, but I don’t see Detroit being too interested in dealing him while is value is a fraction of what it used to be.
Buy or Sell: Sell
Alex Cobb
Like the Giants, the Orioles aren’t totally out of it at 14-17. However, they more than anyone should realize they are in the midst of a total rebuild. Dealing their valuable trade pieces now could help them speed up that process. Cobb should be available, and he would be a quality addition to the Braves rotation.
Buy or Sell:Â Buy
Trevor Williams
The Pirates will be selling anything they can at the deadline, but I’m not sure Williams is the answer for the Braves. After an excellent start to the season, his ERA has ballooned to 5.34 ERA over six starts, which is about where he sat all of last season (5.38 ERA in 2019). I just don’t see him making enough of a difference for the Braves to give up anything for him.Â
Buy or Sell: Sell
Let’s stop the Matthew Boyd talk and go after the tigers best controllable pitcher, Spencer Turnbull!