Braves: 1 trade to make and 1 trade to avoid at all costs

Trade to avoid: Michael Fulmer is excellent, but the Detroit Tigers asking price may be too much for the Braves to meet

Even if the Braves have had their struggles this season, they do need to be cognizant of how the other half lives. One team who has had a rough go of it of late is the lowly Detroit Tigers. With this club still being a year away from being a year away (or more) from seriously competing, they could potentially move Michael Fulmer.

The former All-Star starter for the Tigers has been a godsend to the awful Tigers bullpen this season. He has a 3.25 ERA in 36.0 innings pitched this year. Of his 21 appearances this season, all but four of them have come out of the bullpen. He even has four saves under his belt. While he could be an intriguing trade asset but the Braves need to be cautious.

Though Atlanta has had good success with former Tigers All-Star reliever Shane Greene in recent years, Fulmer will not be a free agent until 2023. He will be arbitration-eligible this winter. Not only could that make him even more expensive should he have a terrific second half, but Atlanta will have to give up a few top prospects to get him. Kimbrel may be better, but will not cost as much.

Overall, the Braves need to start playing up to their potential yesterday. Even if they are three games under .500 ahead of their home series vs. the Boston Red Sox, they are only 5.5 games back of the New York Mets in a bad NL East division. If Atlanta had a better bullpen, this team would be in first place. Fortunately, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has time to make a deal.

If Atlanta gets a little bit healthier and upgrades its bullpen, the Braves can catch fire this summer.