Players from The Athletic’s Trade Deadline Big Board that could interest Braves

The Braves have begun the second half of the season losing three out of their first four games. But worse, they’ve lost Ozzie Albies for eight weeks and Max Fried indefinitely.

With the trade deadline nearing, the hope is that Alex Anthopoulos can work his magic to inject some much-needed life into this club. The Athletic recently compiled a trade deadline big board of the top 50 players who could be traded; here are some that could interest Atlanta.

4. Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays

Bo Bichette has a track record of success and is under contract through 2025. He could fill in for Ozzie Albies or Orlando Arica. Though his defense is notably worse at shortstop, and he’s amid a terrible year marred by injuries. Through the first half, he’s slashed .221/.274/.320/.595 with just four home runs. Still, he’s 26 years old and could be the type of acquisition that immediately signs an extension with the Braves.

8. Randy Arozarena, LF, Rays

There might not be a more attractive trade target on paper than Randy Arozarena. The 29-year-old is under contract through 2026, would be a perfect fit in Atlanta’s clubhouse, and is an excellent performer in October. In 33 career postseason games, he’s slugging .690 with 11 home runs. Granted, his first half has been dreadful — .202/.309/.362/.671 and 12 homers — but that shouldn’t scare the Braves away.

16. Jazz Chisholm Jr., CF/2B, Marlins

Since the Ozzie Albies injury, Jazz Chisholm has become a better fit. He can fill two holes in the outfield and at second base while also under contract through 2026. His .727 OPS isn’t going to single-handedly carry the Braves, but his positional versatility and clubhouse fit could still appeal to Anthopoulos.

18. Cody Bellinger, CF/1B/RF, Cubs

The former MVP is nursing a broken finger right now, but the Braves acquired an injured Eddie Rosario in 2021. Bellinger’s .742 OPS and nine homers aren’t as good as his 2023 bounce-back campaign, and his contract makes things extremely complicated — player options for 2025 and 2026 — but he is still a potential target if the price isn’t too high.

19. Brent Rooker, DH/OF, Athletics

I have no idea how Brent Rooker is the 19th-ranked player on The Athletic’s big board; maybe it’s because he’s better suited as a DH than in the outfield. Nonetheless, the Braves shouldn’t be too concerned with the defense when it’s the offense that’s handicapped this ball club. Rooker owns an impressive .942 OPS thanks to his 21 home runs. He’s under team control through 2027, and these A’s and Braves have familiarity from past deals.

21. Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox

With Max Fried on the shelf, the Braves may indeed be in the market for a starting pitcher, but the prices are so high I doubt Anthopoulos goes after a marquee name. Fedde is amid a career year, so it’s not exactly the buy-low candidate Atlanta’s GM usually prefers. He found something in South Korea this past year, earning MVP honors and returning to MLB, posting an impressive 2.99 ERA. He’s also only owed $10 million next year.

25. Luis Rengifo, 3B/2B, Angels

Another two birds with one stone kind of trade target, Rengifo could potentially fill voids at both middle infield spots and is under contract next year too. He’s slashed 315/.358/.442 with six home runs and 25 RBI. The Braves also have done business with the Angels in the past before.

30. Chris Bassitt, RHP, Blue Jays

Chris Bassitt is the pitcher the Mets should’ve paid, but I digress. The Braves could use another solid starter in the middle of the rotation, and he is under contract for just $22 million next year. That’s the going rate for a pitcher of his caliber.

32. Joc Pederson, DH, Diamondbacks

Like Rooker, Pederson may be seen as a DH to some, but it doesn’t matter for the Braves. The club can absolutely sacrifice some in the outfield to improve the lineup. The veteran has a mutual option for 2025, which he will decline, so it’s basically a rental. However, he’s amid another impressive campaign, slashing .273/.374/.498 with 13 home runs.

42. Taylor Ward, LF, Angels

Despite being 30 years old, he still has two more years of arbitration. He hasn’t quite matched his 2022 numbers, but he’s an upgrade over what the Braves have with his 14 homers and .713 OPS.

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