Braves Rumors: 3 Adam Duvall Replacements To Target For Deadline Trade

Braves: Ian Happ to replace Adam Duvall

The Chicago Cubs will most likely be sellers at the deadline. One of the key pieces that makes sense for them to move is Ian Happ. Now, Happ still has this year and next under team control, so he would be more expensive than a guy like Andrew Benintendi, but he could make sense for the Braves.

Happ is also having the season of his career thus far with a 2.9 WAR when his highest total in a season since his debut in 2017 was 1.6 in 2021.

The Cubs would be smart to sell high on Happ since they are not making the playoffs anytime soon unless a miracle happens, and Happ will most likely walk as a free agent before then.

The biggest question is if the Braves want to buy on a player that is being sold during his best season and gamble that he will keep his production up.

Happ’s peripherals look solid according to baseball savant:

·         Expected weighted on base average (xwOBA) – Top 34% in the league

·         Expected batting average (xBA) – Top 39%

·         Expected Slugging% (xSLG) – Top 48%

·         Walk rate (BB%) – Top 22%

These numbers do show that a slight regression is expected. His batting average is currently .282, with his xBA at .255, his slugging is at .445 with his xSLG being .401, and his wOBA being .353 when his xwOBA being .329.

However, based on how he is doing in comparison to the rest of the league with his advanced metrics, he is still a player that would make the Atlanta Braves a better team for the remainder of his contract.