With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, the Braves are anticipated to be among the most active teams in baseball.
The most evident areas for Alex Anthopoulos to upgrade are the outfield and shortstop, with the former being easier to address. Similar to the 2021 trade deadline, Anthopoulos should target multiple outfielders due to the obvious need and their relatively low cost.
Additionally, more pitching would be beneficial. The Braves currently have a surplus of relievers, with Daysbel Hernandez waiting in Gwinnett, and a robust rotation featuring Max Fried, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton as the top four.
While this is enough starters for the postseason, injuries can severely impact the unit. The Braves might seek additional arms if needed.
In Kerry Miller’s “outrageous trade” proposal from Bleacher Report, the Braves would bolster their rotation and outfield by trading one of their top prospects.
**Atlanta Braves Receive:** RHP Jack Flaherty, OF Mark Canha
**Detroit Tigers Receive:** RHP Hurston Waldrep (ATL No. 2 prospect)
Detroit’s offerings to Atlanta are limited, but Jack Flaherty and Mark Canha should be on Anthopoulos’ radar.
Flaherty is having a bounce-back season on a one-year deal. Injuries had derailed his career, but he has put together an All-Star caliber performance. In 15 starts, he has a 3.24 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 1.000 WHIP, and an impressive 11.6 K/9.
For a Braves team struggling offensively, strengthening an elite pitching staff could be a strategy. However, this would likely indicate a significant injury to one of their key pitchers.
As for Canha, while he may not be the entire solution for the Braves, he has nearly equal splits against lefties and righties and has never posted a sub-100 wRC+ over a full season. The Braves could do much worse.
Hurston Waldrep is the Braves’ top prospect on some rankings. After making his major league debut, he hit the IL with elbow inflammation following two outings with a 16.71 ERA.
Despite this, trading a top prospect for an average outfielder and a one-year rental in Flaherty seems costly. If the Braves had a clear gap in the rotation, this trade would be more sensible. While prospects can be valuable trade chips, this price is steep for short-term solutions.
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