3 cheap under-the-radar trades the Braves can make to win the deadline
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Braves could make one of these deals ahead of the 2021 MLB trade deadline.
At this time, the Atlanta Braves could go in either direction when it comes to the 2021 MLB trade deadline, whether that be as a buyer or as a seller.
The three-time defending NL East champions find themselves three games below .500 at 35-38 ahead of their road series vs. the Cincinnati Reds. This has the Braves tied for third place in the NL East in the latter days of June. Simply put, this team needs a spark in the next few weeks if they want any sliver of hope of getting back to the postseason. Maybe a sneaky-good trade will help?
Here are three under-the-radar moves the Braves can make to get better and win the deadline.
Atlanta Braves: 3 under-the-radar moves to make to win the deadline
Scouting Report. Arizona Diamondbacks. 3. 8. Pick Analysis. LF. David Peralta. player
David Peralta plays on a non-contending team and solves an outfield issue
The Arizona Diamondbacks are going nowhere, and everybody in baseball knows this. This awful NL West franchise cannot win a road game for the life of them. While we are not halfway through the 2021 MLB season, we all should expect the Snakes to be sellers at the deadline. One notable Diamondback who should be available at the deadline has to be veteran left fielder David Peralta.
Peralta has spent his entire big-league career in Arizona uniform. He earned a Silver Slugger in 2018 and a Gold Glove the following year in 2019. On the year, Peralta is slashing .257/.320/.406 in 70 games for the Diamondbacks. He leads all of baseball with five triples. Peralta also has four home runs and 36 runs batted in on the season. Atlanta could give up a prospect or two for him.
Given that his Arizona teammate Ketel Marte might be the more lucrative trade asset, Atlanta may not have to give up as much for Peralta in a deadline deal. The soon-to-be 34-year-old left fielder will be under contract through the 2022 season before hitting free agency in 2023. Simply, Peralta is a short-to-medium-term solution for the Braves in left field if they wish to go that direction.
This move would help improve the Braves’ overall ceiling by simply raising the floor, short-term.