The trade deadline is a month away, and everyone expects the Braves to eventually make some moves, but how much longer can they really wait?
Following last night’s loss to the Giants, which was highlighted by another pitiful performance from the offense, the Braves now sit a full nine games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The division, which the Braves have won in each of the last six seasons, is slipping out of their grasp with each passing day. But at this rate, the Wild Card race isn’t going to be a walk in the park either.
The Braves currently own the top spot in the National League, 2.5 games ahead of the Cardinals and 3.0 games ahead of the Padres. But the New York Mets, of all teams, are closing fast, just four games behind the Braves, and the two teams still have a plethora of games to play against each other.
It’s not easy to swing deals this early in the season, especially since the league expanded the playoffs to 12 teams. Not many clubs are willing to punt on the season with three months left, but there are some that already know their fate, and it might be time for Anthopoulos to get aggressive.
Around this time in 2021, the Braves swung their first of four mid-season trades for outfielders, acquiring Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs. It went on to be one of the most impactful trade deadline additions in franchise history for not only what he brought on the field but in the clubhouse as well.
The right deal has to come available. There’s no point in making a trade just to make one, especially if it involves giving up a young player with some value, but the Braves offense has been mostly lifeless for going on three months now. The back of the order belongs in AAA, and change is inevitably coming. Hopefully, it happens sooner rather than later.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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