Three Tiers Of Trade Deadline Options For The Struggling Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves look lethargic. They are eight games back in a division they have dominated since 2018 and are inconsistent, appearing unstoppable in one game and out of sorts in the next. Struggling in this context, though, is a relative term. They are 10 games over .500 and recently took two of three in a series against the AL-leading New York Yankees, homering in every game in the process.
This is not a mediocre team looking to limp their way into the playoffs. But compared to the heights of previous years, the Braves of 2024 are not meeting expectations. The offense ranks middle of the pack in most categories, as Yankees announcer Michael Kay pointed out just before Jarred Kelenic hit a home run to take the lead against New York.
In fact, their record and place atop the NL Wildcard rankings (and the fact that they are still within striking distance of the Phillies in the NL East) is in large part a testament to their pitching. Offseason additions Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez, along with rotation stalwart Max Fried, have contributed elite starting pitching to keep this team afloat.
The bullpen, too, has been strong — particularly the ageless Jesse Chavez and new signing Aaron Bummer. The story of the season to this point has been simple: when the Braves get elite-level pitching, they win. When they get anything less than elite-level pitching, they lose.
Why The Atlanta Braves Need Deadline Help
Creating a list of players the Braves should sign requires an explanation of 1) why there are so many potential options, and 2) why some of these positions are on this list when they were certainly not needs even a couple of months ago. That answer starts with the team’s poor (relative) performance, but digging a bit deeper reveals a bigger reason: injuries. No team is injury-immune, of course, and they are to be expected in baseball.
But this team has endured a rash of injuries not just to contributors but to star players. Before the season, Ronald Acuña Jr. was the betting favorite to repeat as NL MVP, and flamethrowing right-hander Spencer Strider was favored to win the Cy Young award. Both players are out for the season.
All-Stars Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have all missed significant time with injuries, and center fielder Michael Harris II is currently in the midst of what could be a two-month-long stint on the IL. Six of the players in the opening-day starting lineup have been hurt and key relievers Tyler Matzek, AJ Minter, and Ray Kerr are all on the IL right now.
To stay ahead of the pack in the wildcard race and to even have a shot at catching the scorching hot Phillies, the Braves need help. While the trade market looks to be a bit shallower this year, due to an abundance of teams who are still alive in the playoff hunt, there are still good players to be had on the open market.
However, it’s worth considering that general manager Alex Anthopolous, one of the best in the business, has been calculated and careful with his deadline trades in the past. Despite a flurry of moves in 2021 that famously propelled the team to a World Series title, Anthopolous is not likely to tie his team to heavy, long-term contracts mid-season. For that reason, we’ll examine three tiers of trade targets, which would provide Atlanta with room to make serious acquisitions alongside short-term, low commitment solutions.
These options cover outfield and starting pitching, the two pressing needs facing a team which has absolutely no answer at the fifth spot in the rotation and is currently playing with an outfield that includes only one of three opening-day starters. All are options, but some are worth examining or explaining a little more in-depth.
Long-Term, High Impact
Players who are high-level starters or who have years of cost-effective team control.
Cal Quantrill, SP, Colorado Rockies
Brent Rooker, OF, Oakland Athletics
Jazz Chisholm, OF, Miami Marlins
An outfielder with athleticism to spare and legit star power. Although he would slot into the outfield for 2024, if the Braves keep him long-term he would provide the positional versatility to play in the middle infield, which could become a need if Orlando Arcia continues to struggle as he has so far this year.
Mid-Tier Contributors
Players who are either mid-level starters or who will hit free agency soon enough that they are only a rental.
Miguel Andújar, OF, Oakland Athletics
Erick Fedde, SP, Chicago White Sox
Jack Flaherty, SP, Detroit Tigers
Flaherty can be a strong member of any rotation, more valuable even than the 5th starter he would be with the Braves. However, he slots in here as a middle-tier option because his contract makes him a rental. He will be a free agent this offseason and figures to be expensive to re-sign. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Atlanta could not make his probably sizable next contract work, but the team is scheduled to potentially lose Max Fried — and you would assume that if they want to sign a big-money starting pitcher this offseason, Fried would be the choice.
Short-Term Stop Gaps
Players who are not long-term, high-level starters and are either aging or will be free agents soon.
Joc Pederson, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
A reunion that Atlanta fans are clamoring for. Pederson was a deadline addition to the World Series squad who brought fun and spirit to a team that had struggled after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. Fans wore duplicates of his pearl necklace to games and his playoff performance was dubbed “Joctober.” He’s a short-term option, but he can hit for power and galvanize the clubhouse and fanbase. This would be an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle a second time.
Tommy Pham, OF, Chicago White Sox
Kevin Pillar, OF, Los Angeles Angels
There are no magic fixes in baseball. Ultimately, the healthy stars that Atlanta still has are going to have to start playing to their talent level or this team is going nowhere — regardless of trade acquisitions. But if the offense is in fact turning a corner, adding a fifth starter and a couple of outfield bats could put the team over the top for the stretch run.
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