Fansided

One waiver trade deadline deal every MLB team should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister (28) speak to media before the game between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister (28) speak to media before the game between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

. 52-64, 10.5 GB NL East. 15.5 GB NL Wild Card. Atlanta Braves. 2. player. 17

No one has been wheeling and dealing like the Atlanta Braves in 2015. To date, Braves president John Hart has made 22 trades since taking over the team’s general manager duties – including nine during the regular season. Hart has also already made a trade in August, having acquired veterans Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn in an attempt to dump the $16.5 million owed to third baseman Chris Johnson through 2017 (plus a $10 million option for 2018).

With so many veterans already shipped out of town, there are only a few players left that Atlanta would prefer to trade that have some value for contending clubs. Jonny Gomes is a noted “clubhouse guy” whose main value to the Braves is as a mentor for the many youngsters now on the roster. However, Gomes’ personality has as much value to contenders as his ability to hit left-handed pitching.

Similarly, catcher A.J. Pierzynski could also be valuable to a team looking for some left-handed pop and a veteran presence behind the plate. In fact, because the Braves have Christian Bethancourt in Triple-A and need him to play as much as possible to determine whether or not he is indeed the catcher of the future, it makes the most sense to trade Pierzynski and bring Bethancourt back to the big leagues.

In that case, the Minnesota  Twins, who are trying stay relevant in the Wild Card race, appear to be the best fit. In return, the Braves might ask for a pitching prospect like Cameron Booser or Michael Cederoth – and they’d probably be happy to get either.

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