Max Fried rumors: 4 trade packages to get the Braves to budge

4) Max Fried rumors: A trade package from the Diamondbacks

Maybe more of a sneaky team to look to acquire Max Fried, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a surplus of young players they could trade to get better right now. It won’t be Corbin Carroll or Druw Jones headed to Atlanta. The Braves can still get some good players to contribute now and in the future.

This is a pretty big trade. The Braves land the 12th best prospect in baseball, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, plus pitcher Ryne Nelson and porspect Jorge Barrosa. Nelson is a guy who could contend for a spot in the Braves rotation or at least spend a year as a depth piece. He’s a pretty big part in this deal even if he isn’t the headlining prospect with Lawlar taking on that role.

Nelson looked impressive in his three starts for Arizona last year. The Diamondbacks could give the Braves a choice of him or Drey Jameson. They’re equal in a lot of ways.

Lawlar is the big “get” for Atlanta. They may end up perfectly happy with Vaughn Grissom as their shortstop. This shouldn’t stop them from looking at improvements. Lawlar is considered one of the best shortstop prospects in baseball right now. The Diamondbacks are looking for a better repeat of history when they traded Dansby Swanson to the Braves for Shelby Miller all of those years ago. Will this one work out better for them?

Fried is much more accomplished than Miller was at the time. He’d create one of the best trios to the start the season with him, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly. Maybe Madison Bumgarner decides to turn back the clock and give them an excellent year.