3 Braves trades to make at the MLB Winter Meetings

3. Braves can convince the Cubs to make a trade at the Winter Meetings

On the other side of town is another team the Braves can talk with at the Winter Meetings. The Chicago Cubs, while seemingly prepared to win again, could do a little selling as well this offseason. There’s no rule against trading away players and signing big free agents.

What about sending Ian Happ to the Braves to become their new left fielder? Happ is signed for only one more year. Minus an extension at the moment, it feels as if history will repeat itself with him. It doesn’t matter how well the Cubs do in the offseason. The 2023 World Series isn’t happening. They should be looking at 2024 instead.

Happ drastically improves the left field situation in Atlanta. His versatility will help make him an option elsewhere. He’s a built-in trade deadline acquisition the moment someone suffers an injury.

The return for Happ could be interesting. Would Vaughn Grissom alone be good enough? This rewards the Cubs with a middle infielder to pair with Nico Hoerner. It’s not a big splash but would allow them to spend elsewhere. Atlanta can solve their shortstop question by signing one of the bigger names out there, even inviting Dansby Swanson back.

Happ is one of the last remaining desirable trade candidates on the Cubs roster. The Braves make a lot of sense for him. The key is offering enough of a temptation in return without overpaying.