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MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Braves should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Matt Adams #18 after a 13-2 victory against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Matt Adams #18 after a 13-2 victory against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after he scored against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after he scored against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. Trade Brandon Phillips to the Angels

The Braves acquired Atlanta native Brandon Phillips from the Reds in February after the team lost Sean Rodriguez to injuries sustained in an offseason car wreck. The club had apparently shown interest in Phillips before, but the three-time All-Star exercised his trade veto rights. However, as it became clear Atlanta would provide a better opportunity to play, the deal was done.

The Braves expect Rodriguez back in July. Rodriguez, Danny Santana and Jace Peterson are all capable of playing second during the final two-plus months if the club needs it, though the bulk of the playing time should go to super prospect Ozzie Albies, who is ready to make his major league debut. Therefore, Phillips could be on the move again.

Phillips has hit .280/.326/.411 with seven home runs and 30 RBI in 80 games with the Braves. The 36-year-old can steal a base when necessary (7-for-11 in steal attempts this season), and though he’s no longer a Gold Glove caliber second baseman, he’s still better than average.

Simply, he’s exactly the type of player the Los Angeles Angels need. Though the Braves and Angels both entered the All-Star Break with a winning percentage in the .480s, the Angels are in a far better position to make a push for the postseason because the club is just three games out in the AL Wild Card race. The team will also have Mike Trout back after the break.

And, no team in baseball has gotten worse production from its second basemen. Angels second basemen have combined for a -0.6 fWAR while hitting .180/.259/.276 and a 31.7 percent strikeout rate – all the worst in the majors.

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