We are probably about a month away from trade conversations seriously heating up, but the Braves’ needs are becoming clearer by the day.
The rotation has held up better than anyone could have imagined, but that doesn’t change the fact that Atlanta really doesn’t have a playoff-caliber starter outside of Chris Sale. Adding a legitimate number two behind him should be a priority — though starting pitching at the trade deadline comes at a steep price.
Another area where the Braves could look to upgrade, which Bradford Doolittle highlights in his latest piece for ESPN, is shortstop.
“Atlanta has been good at just about everything in building a huge lead in the National League East,” Doolittle writes. “Looking ahead to a likely return to October, there are two key areas to monitor and assess: shortstop and the rotation. The Braves figure to be mentioned frequently if and when the Skubal sweepstakes commence, but shortstop might be the bigger need. That really only matters if someone who is a clear upgrade — perhaps someone such as Jeremy Peña, Willy Adames or CJ Abrams — actually becomes available. A rotation addition seems more likely, even if it’s not Skubal.”
Not everyone will agree, but I don’t see shortstop as something the Braves are going to pursue at this year’s trade deadline. Mauricio Dubon has been a well above-average option through the first few months, and nobody should be completely writing off Ha-Seong Kim just yet either.
Could the Braves upgrade at shortstop? Sure. Should it be a primary focus given the price tags attached to legitimate upgrades? I’m not sure many serious conversations will even be had.
Left field is a much more attainable upgrade. The Braves lost Jurickson Profar before the season began to a second PED suspension, which threw a real wrench into things. Luckily it hasn’t hurt them to this point, but that shouldn’t stop them from inquiring on every outfielder that hits the trade block. They’re considerably less expensive than shortstops, and the right one can add significant firepower to the lineup.
That’s the one position I’d guarantee the Braves address before the deadline. They went after Byron Buxton last year, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if those conversations resurface in about a month.
Beyond that, like every team, the Braves could use bullpen depth — though I’d put that at the bottom of the priority list with seven weeks to go before the trade deadline.
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