Possible Hot Moves for Braves as we Approach the Deadline
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With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, Braves Country will be intensely watching the rumor mill in anticipation of another Alex Anthopoulos masterclass. The latest of which comes from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, who named Atlanta a potential fit for three trade candidates whose stocks are rising.
The #Braves today optioned RHP AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett, placed OF Ramón Laureano on the 10-day injured list, backdated to July 9, with a left oblique muscle strain, recalled LHP Dylan Lee to Atlanta and returned OF Brian Anderson from his rehabilitation assignment…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 10, 2024
Jesse Winker, OF, Nationals
With the promotion of Washington’s top prospect James Wood, Winker could be moved at this year’s deadline and is coming off a scorching hot June. “The 30-year-old is having a solid season (nine homers, 38 RBIs, .787 OPS in 83 games), and his excellent June (.304/.421/.430),” Feinsand writes.
Winker is only improving upon that hot month of June too. Now, he’s up to a 122 OPS+ and could platoon with Adam Duvall. Against right-handed pitching, Winker owns a .862 OPS with nine of his 10 home runs. The Braves did acquire Eddie Rosario, but let’s not pretend like he’s the answer.
A 3-pitch bottom of the 9th wraps up this evening's work 😮💨#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/ALdCNUoXnQ
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 10, 2024
Zach Eflin, RHP, Rays
The Braves don’t have an obvious need for a starter at this juncture of the season. Max Fried, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach are a formidable five-man rotation, and that doesn’t even include Bryce Elder, A.J. Smith-Shawver, and Ian Anderson. However, as we’ve seen many times in Atlanta, injuries can quickly pile up, so the Braves can never have enough pitching. “Eflin has a 3.92 ERA in 15 starts this season, though he posted a 3.49 ERA over 28 1/3 innings in five June starts,” Feinsand writes. The Braves would be acquiring Eflin with the intention of solidifying the rotation for next year as well, but he comes with an $18 million price tag in 2025. If he replicated his 2023 campaign, that would be a bargain. Eflin finished sixth in the Cy Young race last year after posting a 3.50 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 1.024 WHIP, and a ridiculous 7.75 K/BB across 177.2 innings. If that’s what the Braves are trading for, sign me up.
Delivering dubs in the desert 🌵#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/8Gkvy8x6Xg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 10, 2024
Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays
Randy Arozarena won the Rookie of the Year award in 2021 but hasn’t reached that level of production since. He owns a career .782 OPS, which is more than 100 points higher than his 2024 mark. However, in June, he slashed.291/.424/.468. With two years of team control after this season, Arozarena checks a ton of boxes for the Braves. He comes with an infectious personality that lights up every room he steps into and would fit like a glove in Atlanta’s clubhouse. He’s proven to be as clutch as they come in the postseason, boasting a .336 average with 11 homers and 1.104 OPS over 33 playoff games. That extra control I mentioned should also pique the interest of the Braves, who have to weigh the possibility of Ronald Acuña filling the DH role next year. Even amid a down year, the Rays aren’t just going to give Randy Arozarena away, but this is a fit that just makes so much sense.
The #Braves today returned RHP AJ Smith-Shawver from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list. Atlanta also optioned RHP Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett after yesterday’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 9, 2024
Courtesy of SportsTalkATL
