The Braves might be the most aggressive club at the trade deadline. A blockbuster trade consisting of multiple top prospects leaving the organization doesn’t seem likely, given the state of Atlanta’s farm system, but no stone will be unturned and multiple new faces will be joining the club over the next six weeks.
As far as what to expect, Alex Anthopoulos has consistently placed an emphasis on two things since becoming general manager of the Braves — value and clubhouse presence. If the price tag is too high, Anthopoulos never pulls the trigger, and if there are any concerns about what a player will bring to the clubhouse as far as energy, he won’t even be considered.
There are a number of potential targets that will be available that fill the Braves biggest holes, which are currently in the outfield, at shortstop, and they could probably use another starting pitcher as well. I’ve covered a bunch of them already, which can be found linked below, and I’ll do the Rays as an entire team in the near future, but there is one name that really feels like a perfect fit who deserves an article to himself, Randy Arozarena.
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- Braves trade targets from Athletics
- Braves trade targets from Angels
- Braves trade targets from Rockies
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- Braves trade targets from Mets
- Braves trade targets from Marlins
- Braves trade targets from Red Sox
- Braves trade targets from Tigers
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Randy Arozarena is fresh off his first All-Star appearance last season. Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, he boasts an .802 OPS and 126 OPS+ (26% above league average). Arozerana has become the heart and soul of the baseball club in Tampa Bay; however, 2024 has been a year to forget thus far. Through 77 games this season, he’s hitting below the Mendoza Line at .190. He does have 10 homers and 12 doubles, so there’s still plenty of pop in his bat. But with the Rays seemingly on the cusp of re-tooling, at the very least, Randy Arozarena could potentially be made available.
Despite his abysmal first half, I imagine there will still be plenty of suitors for Arozarena’s services, but this is still a buy-low candidate for what he could offer moving forward. He’s been an All-Star caliber player his entire career, owns a ridiculous 1.104 postseason OPS over 33 games for the Rays, and is under team control through the 2026 season.
Not to mention, the clubhouse fit would be seamless. Arozarena has the type of personality that guys are excited to come to the ballpark to see, but he also has a fire to him that shows up on the biggest stages. Typically, a player that checks all of those boxes might cost several top prospects, but his struggles this year could make him more attainable for a team like the Braves, who don’t necessarily have top prospects to part ways with.
Depending on the cost, I can’t think of a player that fits Atlanta’s needs more perfectly. They could use a boost — both on the field and in the clubhouse. Randy Arozarena provides that and has proven to be one of the best postseason hitters of the last decade, another area where the Braves have been miserable over the last two years.
The multiple years of control Arozerna comes with should also intrigue Alex Anthopoulos. The expectation is for Ronald Acuña Jr. to return at some point next season, but how will he look and will he be able to play the outfield every day? Surely, the Braves would like to use him as a DH more often, which means they’ll need another outfielder. Arozarena could be that guy for the next several years at a more than palatable price point.
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Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
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