Braves: 3 ways to get revenge on Marlins for Ronald Acuña Jr. HBP
By John Buhler
2. Orchestrate a spite trade or two as the 2021 MLB trade deadline approaches
It remains to be seen what the Braves will be when the 2021 MLB trade deadline approaches, but we can expect the Marlins to be sellers as opposed to buyers this year. While they could stand pat, the Marlins have been in the bottom half of the NL East standings this season for a reason: They do not have a ton of margin for error offensively. Maybe they acquire a minor league bat this July?
That is where the Braves can come in. Atlanta’s season comes down to how the Braves play coming out of the All-Star Break. If Atlanta plays up to its lofty standards, then this will not apply. The Braves would be looking to add pieces to the major league roster in an attempt to go for it rather than reload for next year. Should they struggle, they may look to pull off a spite trade.
The Marlins organization has historically done a great job of drafting players and developing their talent. Keeping them at the big league level has never been their thing, but the Marlins know a good prospect when they see one. If the Braves want to be incredibly petty here, they may do their homework, figure out what prospects the Marlins like and go sell off an asset or two to land him.
This is a roundabout way of getting one past the Marlins, but the Braves could potentially do this.