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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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ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 22: First baseman Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single in the fifth inning during the game against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on June 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 22: First baseman Matt Adams #18 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single in the fifth inning during the game against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on June 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

1. Trade Matt Adams to the Yankees

Freddie Freeman is a team player. Prior to returning to the lineup earlier than expected from a fractured left wrist, Freeman offered to move across the infield from first to third base.

The move made sense on paper because the Braves acquired slugging first baseman Matt Adams shortly after Freeman was placed on the DL. Having two left-handed sluggers in the lineup is better than one, and with Freeman at third, the Braves lineup is much more dangerous. Also, though no one in the organization would dare say it publicly, putting Freeman at third helped keep Adams’ trade value high.

Adams has been great in Atlanta, hitting .292/.339/.608 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI in 44 games in a Braves uniform. Several contending teams could use a first baseman with that type of production, though the Yankees are at the top of the list. New York first basemen have hit .175/.273/.347 this season, and have produced a -1.2 combined fWAR, which is the second worst in the majors. The Angels (-1.7 fWAR) would also make sense.

Next: MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Phillies should make

The Braves are surely tempted to keep Adams. But is Freeman really the long-term option for the Braves at third, though? Johan Camargo has shown flashes he could handle the every day role, Rio Ruiz and Austin Riley are Top 20 prospects in the organization, and No. 10 Travis Demeritte could shift to third from second. Also, Sean Rodriguez could see time there as he works back into shape after spending the first three months on the DL.

The Braves have plenty of options, so if the Yankees present a premium offer for Adams, it would make sense for Atlanta to capitalize.

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