The Braves’ trade deadline strategy has shifted significantly since the season began due to injuries to their top players, Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr.
Surprisingly, Atlanta’s rotation has remained strong without Strider, thanks to impressive offseason acquisitions. Chris Sale has rediscovered his All-Star form, making him a contender for the NL Cy Young award.
However, to win his first Cy Young, Sale must outperform teammate Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez, the MLB ERA leader through 13 starts, has been the most impactful free-agent signing this season, transitioning to a starter role after five years and exceeding all expectations.
The offense, however, has struggled. Despite showing some improvement recently, the Braves’ bats were largely ineffective for nearly two months, ranking among the worst in the league. While this slump isn’t expected to last all season, it highlights the team’s offensive holes, which could be addressed at the trade deadline.
Alex Anthopoulos is expected to make moves, but the question is which type of players he’ll target. The expanded playoffs mean fewer sellers, but marquee names will still be available, as seen last year with the aggressive moves made by the Texas Rangers.
However, Anthopoulos is likely to avoid blockbuster deals. He understands the importance of balancing immediate success with long-term prospects. Citing the 2015 Blue Jays as an example, where despite going “all-in” with trades for players like Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, Anthopoulos still preserved key prospects and signed future star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
With a promising young core, the Braves are poised to contend for the World Series for years to come. There’s no need to jeopardize this future by making drastic moves, especially in a season without their two best players.
The Braves could still bring the World Series back to Atlanta in 2024, just as they did in 2021 without Acuña Jr., relying on strategic, rather than blockbuster, trades. Expect Anthopoulos to adopt a similar approach this trade deadline.
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