MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Braves should make

4. Trade R.A. Dickey and Jim Johnson to the Twins

Like the Rockies, the Twins have over performed expectations so far this season. Last year, Minnesota finished with the worst record in the majors. This year, the club spent a large portion of the first half in first place in the NL Central and entered the All-Star break 2.5 games behind the defending AL champs in the division and just one game out in the Wild Card standings.

However, the Twins have allowed 463 runs so far, which is the second most in baseball. Minnesota’s starters have combined for a 4.90 ERA, which is the fourth highest in the majors, while Twins relievers have a 4.83 ERA that is the fifth worst in the big leagues. And this is from a staff that includes All-Stars Ervin Santana and Brandon Kintzler, plus solid 23-year-old starter Jose Berrios, who has a 3.53 ERA in an impressive bounce back performance after last year’s disastrous big league debut.

In other words, the Twins are desperate for pitching – both starters and relievers. After all, this is the club that signed Bartolo Colon after Atlanta released him. Therefore, it makes sense that Minnesota would be open to adding a couple of Braves veteran right-handers: R.A. Dickey and Jim Johnson.

Atlanta signed Dickey, the 42-year-old knuckleballer, to a one-year contract at the beginning of the season. Like Colon, the Braves hoped Dickey would be a bridge to their talented pitching prospects, buying just enough time for the youngsters in the minors to get them ready to contribute at the big league level. In 17 starts, Dicket is 6-5 with a 4.23 ERA – slightly better than he was last season for the Wild Card Blue Jays.

Johnson signed a two-year contract extension with the Braves last season, putting him under team control through 2018, and has a 4.23 ERA with 19 saves this year. The 34-year-old has blown seven saves this year, but could give the Twins help in the eighth inning, and serve as depth should something happen to Kintzler.