Braves rumors: 3 assets Atlanta can trade for Xander Bogaerts
By Tim Boyle
We should expect future Atlanta Braves rumors involving these three assets and a trade for Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
The Atlanta Braves have a growing hole at the shortstop position. Dansby Swanson is having another underwhelming season without the power surge he had last season when he hit a surprising 27 home runs and drove in 88. While there aren’t any specific Braves rumors about how they may solve this growing issue, an obvious answer could be to call up the Boston Red Sox about Xander Bogaerts.
Bogaerts is expected to opt-out of his contract with the Red Sox then seek a new deal in free agency. The Braves, in their title defense, would benefit greatly from his bat in the lineup. As poorly as the Red Sox have played, Bogaerts has been one of the few players performing well.
Through his first 131 trips to the plate, Bogaerts has hit .347/.397/.463 with a pair of home runs. It’s an exceptional start to a Red Sox season without much direction. For the Braves, it’s a chance to pounce and strike a deal. Any of these three assets could help get them there.
Braves rumors: In any Xander Bogaerts trade, Dansby Swanson should be included
Swanson becomes unneeded if the Braves do acquire Bogaerts. Moving him to the bench isn’t exactly perfect. It also gives the Red Sox an answer as to who plays out the year at shortstop for them in 2022 as they look to possibly just get through it as painless as possible.
Swanson for Bogaerts is hardly the final trade these two clubs would make as one is trending upward and the other watching as his value tanks.
It’s the start of the deal, however. One roster spot for another, Swanson is the first asset we could expect to appear in Braves rumors this summer.