Braves: 3 trade deadline targets we should be scouting

Braves deadline targets: Bryan Reynolds

If we are being honest, getting a player like Bryan Reynolds would be a big move, and may not be a priority. However, it does make sense to trade for him. The Pirates are in no shape to compete any time soon, and Reynolds would be intriguing to many teams.

Of course, players like Cedric Mullins fit this same mold, but given the future state of the Pirates versus the Orioles’, the Pirates are further away from competing.

Since Reynolds is likely an intriguing player to many teams, the Braves’ front office will be cognizant that a bidding war could take place should Reynolds become available.

With that in mind, coupled with Reynolds being under team control through 2025, it would like take a haul to land him. If the Braves choose to go that route, it could be worth it.

Reynolds currently having a down year by his standards being ranks tenth for centerfielders in weighted runs created plus (wRC+), and his OPS+ is only 1% above league average at 101

However, that would still be an upgrade as Reynolds is currently having a down year by his standards being ranked tenth for centerfielders in weighted runs created plus (wRC+), and his OPS+ is only 1% above league average at 101

That would still be a massive upgrade for Atlanta, and Reynolds has proven himself as a consistent All-Star level talent. He has been in the league since 2019 and owns an OPS+ of 126.

Reynolds would also fill the void of OBP that the Braves have been struggling with. Reynolds currently gets on base at a .321 clip in 2022, with a career .363 OBP. An OBP of .321 would put him in second place on the Braves among qualified hitters. If he were to get back to his career number of .363, that would be first place on the team.

Reynolds could also be due to progress, given that his BABIP is currently at .260 when his career BABIP is .338.

There are some downfalls to consider. Almost all of his peripherals look bad so far this year. His expectancy stats do not paint a bright picture with almost all his hitting numbers being in the bottom 46 percent or worse (other than his walk rate and strikeout rates).

His defense also will not set the world on fire, but he does currently have a dWAR of 0.1, and has a positive 0.5 dWAR for his career thus far.

This could be an instance where the Braves can pull off a trade for Reynolds. It is interesting situation where he is having a down year statistically, while the Pirates may just be desperate enough to advance their rebuild by moving Reynolds while he still has significant team control.

The Braves may be willing to gamble on a player of Reynolds caliber in hopes that he bounces back, because even if he continues to hit like he is right now, he is an easy upgrade over other options they have at the moment.

Truthfully, it will more depend on the trade package required more than anything else.

The Braves had a fun trade deadline last year. Here is to hoping that MLB has another exciting trade deadline in 2022.