3 players Braves should avoid at the trade deadline
By Mike Luciano
The Atlanta Braves should exercise caution at the trade deadline.
The Atlanta Braves haven’t been as dominant as many expected them to be given their poor starting rotation, but they are still in first place in the NL East and have a good shot at the postseason. Given their obvious needs, many expect Atlanta to be a major player at the trade deadline.
I expect the #Braves to trade for a starting pitcher by Monday's @MLB Trade Deadline, regardless of today's outcome. The Atlanta rotation has accounted for a 5.37 ERA and 4 wins this year. Touki Toussaint, Sean Newcomb, and Kyle Wright are in the Minors. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 25, 2020
The Braves getting aggressive at the trade deadline could help them push past several other contenders in the NL, but reckless spending and trading just for the sake of making a move could be equally as destructive as sitting around and doing nothing. Atlanta needs to show restraint and not trade for these three players.
The Braves shouldn’t trade for these three players
7. Pick Analysis. RP. Trevor Rosenthal. 3. Scouting Report. Kansas City Royals. player
After a long bout with Steve Blass Disease last year, Rosenthal has rebounded nicely in Kansas City under former Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, walking just seven while saving seven games and posting a 3.29 ERA as the team’s closer. Because of his resurgence and the fact Kansas City is once again in last place in the AL Central, many are expecting Rosenthal to be flipped somewhere else. Atlanta might need to beef up their bullpen, but this is not the way to do it.
Since the end of the 2017 season, due to both injury and ineffectiveness, we’ve seen exactly one 14-game stretch from Rosenthal that wasn’t awful. Just one year ago, Rosenthal put up a 13.50 ERA in 22 games while walking 26 in 15 innings. Will the Braves really feel confident with parting ways with a somewhat desirable prospect in exchange for a guy who was a laughingstock just one season beforehand? If Rosenthal once again regresses without his Svengali in Matheny, the Royals might end up robbing the Braves.