2 affordable trades Braves can make for NL East run
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Braves can get back into the NL East race by taking advantage of its soft schedule.
After taking two of three from the arch rival New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves only find themselves 3.5 games back in the NL East standings.
While Atlanta has never been above .500 this season, the Braves could be after its next nine games on the schedule. The Braves are 39-41 on the year through 80 games with six against two fifth-placed teams in the NL in the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates over the next nine days. This is how the Braves can catch up with the Mets before the trade deadline finally arrives.
Here are two affordable moves the Braves can make ahead of the deadline to help close the gap.
Atlanta Braves: 2 affordable trades to make ahead of the July deadline
11. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RHP. player. Baltimore Orioles. Cole Sulser. 2
The Baltimore Orioles will be sellers, and Cole Sulser could be expendable
With the Baltimore Orioles having the worst record in the American League entering Fourth of July weekend, it is only a matter of time before they have another fire sale. As with the half-dozen or so teams who are undeniably sellers at this point, the Orioles must identify what pieces on their roster are worth parting ways with if the right offer presents itself. They might deal Cole Sulser.
The 31-year-old right-hander out of Dartmouth is having his best season in the big leagues. Sulser is 2-0 on the year with a 2.05 ERA and a 1.076 WHIP in 30.2 innings in 27 appearances for the Orioles this season. While he will not be hitting free agency until 2026, Sulser is arbitration eligible beginning in 2023. This means Atlanta can get a veteran player very cheaply in this deal.
Since Sulser has not pitched this well for as long at any point of his three-year big-league career, it may serve the Orioles to cut bait with him at the deadline for a team in desperate need of relief pitching like the Braves do. With there being more long-term control, Atlanta would have to give up more than it probably wants to get him. However, that will be the price of doing business here.
Sulser could help improve the Atlanta bullpen, but he would be a potential long-term investment.