3 bold predictions for Braves after MLB Trade Deadline
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Braves have made some trades, so let’s make some predictions about them now.
One of the most active teams at the trade deadline were the Atlanta Braves, who added several big-time players to their roster on Friday afternoon.
After trading for outfielder Joc Pederson and catcher Stephen Vogt earlier in July, the Braves added three power-hitting outfielders in Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler on Friday. While much of Braves Country would have been livid if general manager Alex Anthopoulos did not add a piece to the bullpen, he was able to deal for Richard Rodriguez in the 11th hour as well.
Now that the Braves made their moves, here are some predictions for them the rest of the way.
Atlanta Braves: 3 bold predictions after the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline
3. The new-look Braves outfield is really going to dig the long the ball
Long gone are the days of the Braves’ slap-hitting ways in the outfield. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. for the rest of the year due to injury was brutal, as was seeing the whole Marcell Ozuna debacle unfold. But now that the Braves have added four outfielders that can park balls into the bleachers, they are going to be digging the long ball big time the rest of the way. Feast or famine, whatever.
Pederson can rake, and Braves Country has seen that. It is also well aware of what Duvall can do from the right side of the plate. Letting him go was a GOB Bluth-level huge mistake, but giving up an injured backup backstop in Alex Jackson was worth it. As for Rosario and Soler, they could take advantage of coming over from the American League to feast on newfound Senior Circuit pitching.
Atlanta may have its challenges defensively in the outfield with any combination of its power-heavy lineup, but all it takes is one perfectly-timed big fly to change this season for the better. Look for Duvall, Pederson, Rosario and Soler to crush one offering after another deep into the Atlanta summer sky. This takes a ton of pressure off the infielders having to go yard all the time.
The Braves’ lineup could become one of the toughest batting orders for the opposition to navigate.