The trade deadline is here, and the Braves are expected to be one of the more active teams because Alex Anthopoulos has more holes to fill than ever before.
The 2021 trade deadline is often referenced when predicting what Anthopoulos will do in the next five or so days. It’s a good comparison because the Braves could use several bodies as they did in 2021.
According to MLB insider Robert Murray, the Braves have strong interest in Rays starter Zach Eflin, which isn’t a new report.
“Among the teams with interest in Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin include the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, according to major-league sources.”
What Murray added is important, though. The Braves are looking for “a bunch of different things” as Murray writes.
“In addition to rotation help, one executive who has spoken to the Braves said that Atlanta is “looking for a bunch of different things with all their injuries.””
Adam Duvall, at the very least, needs to be relegated to a platoon role and never be allowed to face a right-handed pitcher. Duvall owns a 253/.359/.494 slash line with a .854 OPS in 103 plate appearances against LHPs. Meanwhile, Jarred Kelenic has faltered in recent weeks, and Eddie Rosario probably doesn’t need to be on the roster at this point after getting DFA’d by the Nationals.
The Braves could also use a middle infielder with Ozzie Albies on the shelf for the next two months, Orlando Arcia being borderline unplayable, and questions about Nacho Alvarez.
So, yeah Alex Anthopoulos should be looking at a bunch of different things with all our injuries. The Braves don’t need a ton of rotation help right now with Max Fried on the mend, but it’s better to be safe than sorry if Eflin doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
As Chase has said in recent days, the Braves need quantity, not quality at this juncture.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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