This Atlanta Braves trade for WBC star could fix shortstop woes

The Atlanta Braves have made some shocking decisions in recent days regarding their shortstop position. Could the Braves continue to shift the look of their roster at the position through a trade?

When the Atlanta Braves decided to option both Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple-A, it left shortstop in the hands of Orlando Arcia to start the 2023 season. Arcia is certainly capable of handling the position, slashing .244/.316/.416 primarily in a role where he started at second base (43 games) while also working as an option in left field and third base. His backup looks to be Ehire Adrianza, who posted a .154/.313/.231 slash line after being traded by the Washington Nationals to the Braves at last year’s MLB trade deadline.

It’s unclear exactly how long Grissom and Shewmake could be in Triple-A, as well as what will need to happen for Grissom to return to the big role he held with the team last season in the absence of Ozzie Albies. However, it is clear that the Braves could use some help with depth at the shortstop position until that time comes.

Could Atlanta Braves make a trade with Colorado Rockies to improve depth at shortstop?

During the recent World Baseball Classic, Alan Trejo, who has played in 63 games over the last two seasons in Colorado, held down shortstop for Team Mexico, and did it with plenty of sparkling reviews about his play.

As discussed in this article, Trejo is projected by FanGraphs to begin the 2023 season as a backup infielder for the Rockies. Colorado believes it has found its long-term answer at shortstop in rookie Ezequiel Tovar while second base (the other position where Trejo played primarily last season) is being held down by former Gold Glove finalist Ryan McMahon. There will seemingly be few chances (outside of injury) for Trejo to play in 2023 or potentially beyond, given the depth the Rockies already possess up the middle.

Given that and Atlanta’s need at shortstop to begin the season, could the two teams work out a swap similar to the one that recently brought outfielder Sam Hilliard from the Mile High City to the Deep South? In a one-for-one November trade, Hilliard was sent to Atlanta in exchange for minor league pitcher Dylan Spain, who pitched at High-A Rome last season. Could a format be the same for a Trejo trade, with Atlanta sending Double-A pitcher Hayden Deal to Colorado for the the 26-year-old shortstop?

Trejo has a considerable amount of team control left (through the 2029 season) and has shown he can hit MLB pitching, slashing .271/.312/.424 with four homers and 17 RBI in 125 plate appearances last year. If the Braves or any other team want to bring him on through a trade, the Rockies will be looking for something of value in return.

With Dansby Swanson now in Chicago, Atlanta is taking a new direction with its shortstop position to open the season. Perhaps a new face could help the club find its footing there sooner than later.