Fansided

5 teams that should be buyers at the MLB trade deadline

By Baasil Ebrahim

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 24: (L-R) Gorkys Hernandez #7, Gregor Blanco #1 and Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates defeating the Washington Nationals 4-3 at AT&T Park on April 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 24: (L-R) Gorkys Hernandez #7, Gregor Blanco #1 and Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates defeating the Washington Nationals 4-3 at AT&T Park on April 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 01: Mike Foltynewicz #26 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Freddie Freeman #5 after pitching a complete game shut out against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 01: Mike Foltynewicz #26 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Freddie Freeman #5 after pitching a complete game shut out against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

4. Atlanta Braves

So the Braves are here. They’ve let the Nationals climb back in the division, but still hold a playoff position. They are as clear of a Type 1 buyer as it gets. They have the eighth youngest roster in baseball and were expected to be competitive next year. Here now though, they can’t stop in their pursuit of at least the National League pennant.

Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, and Annibal Sánchez are leading a dominant pitching staff as they each have ERAs below 3. As a unit, the starting pitching for the Braves has a 3.50 ERA, good for 7th best in the MLB. The Braves are riding good starting pitching and the fourth best offense in baseball, a formula that should work for them for years to come.

Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, and Nick Markakis have a combined bating average of .306 with 35 home runs and 124 RBIs between them. When Ronald Acuna rejoins them it should be another boost for the team. For now, they need to make sure that they continue to remain in  a playoff spot. As long as they have a playoff spot, they should have no problem potentially making a run in the playoffs. They have the starting pitching to afford them that luxury.

For the Braves, the biggest hole is at third base. While Johan Camargo has been serviceable, he has not been everything they need. Someone like Mike Moustakas could come in with his .812 OPS and bring more production from the hot corner. The Braves can definitely turn themselves into contenders in the National League with one more piece.

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