The Braves’ trade deadline intentions aren’t quite clear yet because circumstances have changed dramatically over the last week.
Coming into the second half of the season, Alex Anthopoulos was expected to target multiple outfielders and possibly a shortstop to upgrade over Orlando Arcia. An argument could have been made to bolster the back end of the rotation as well, but that would’ve been a luxury more than anything.
All of that changed during a series against the Cardinals. Max Fried was placed on the IL with a forearm injury and is expected to be out for at least a few weeks. Then, Ozzie Albies left Sunday’s contest with what was eventually deemed to be a fractured wrist.
Without those two, the Braves’ chances of winning a World Series are severely diminished, leaving many to wonder just how aggressive Anthopoulos will be at the trade deadline. Considering the weak farm system, it’s worth arguing that Atlanta is better off making smaller deals.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently revealed some information that may enlighten fans as to the Braves’ trade deadline intentions regarding both Albies and Fried.
Does Max Fried’s injury make the Braves a bigger player in the expensive market for a starter? — Alan G. … With Ozzie Albies’ wrist fracture and the announcement that he’ll likely be on the IL until the playoffs, how do you see this changing the Braves’ approach to the trade deadline?
I texted with president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos and he told me he has a lot of confidence in rookie second baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr., the 21-year-old they’ve promoted to take Albies’ spot for the next eight weeks. Alvarez had a .401 on-base percentage between Double A and Triple A and stole 21 bases in 24 attempts. On the pitching front, the Braves have never stopped looking for starting pitching and probably never will with Anthopoulos leading the charge.
Of course, Anthopoulos’ comments about Nacho Alvarez should be taken with a grain of salt. He’s a GM who always keeps things close to the vest, so there’s no way he’d tell Jim Bowden of his intentions. In that same breath, he’s generally transparent and probably does believe Nacho Alvarez is capable of replacing Albies over the next two months, or he wouldn’t have said it.
As far as the rotation is concerned, I think Bowden nailed it. Alex Anthopoulos is all about value, and starting pitching prices at the trade deadline are always ridiculous. The best value usually lies in back-of-the-rotation arms, and the Braves don’t need one of those to potentially replace Max Fried.
Braves Country should expect low-risk, high-reward trades that won’t cost an arm and a leg, mostly addressing the outfield.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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