3 Braves replacements for Dansby Swanson not named Carlos Correa
By Mark Powell
Braves trade replacement for Dansby Swanson: Miguel Rojas
Trading within their own division will surely cost them more than most, but the Braves need a shortstop, and Miguel Rojas is very available.
Rojas was up for grabs at the trade deadline last season, but didn’t command the sort of return to the Marlins were looking for. Miami is perpetually in a rebuild of some sort, and with Rojas arbitration years winding down, the Marlins should deal him while they can get something in return.
The shortstop has taken two steps back at the plate the last few season, as his batting average dipped from .304 to .236 this past season. Odds are, next season is somewhere in between, as Rojas has proven All-Star caliber with the bat in previous seasons.
FanSided’s Josh Wilson laid out the case for Rojas to become a Brave in a recent column after Swanson signed with the Cubs:
"“Rojas was second among shortstops last season in defensive runs saved behind Jeremy Pena of the Houston Astros. His bat wasn’t as good, ranking 21st in wRC+ (Swanson ranked seventh last year, for comparison). But it’s workable, and the Braves have offense in other parts of the roster already. Austin Riley peppered his name on every imaginable offensive leaderboard last year. He and Matt Olson were second and third in the MLB in extra-base hits.”"
Atlanta’s offense can make up for Rojas’ deficiencies. He’s an excellent defensive shortstop, however, which is something they’re desperately lacking.