MLB Rumors: 3 assets the Braves, Cardinals and Astros can trade for Shane Bieber

MLB Rumors: A Braves trade for Shane Bieber

The Atlanta Braves are at an immediate disadvantage as it pertains to a Shane Bieber trade package, especially since their farm system is rather barren compared to the likes of the St. Louis Cardinals. What the Braves do have in abundance, though, is young MLB talent.

A player like Vaughn Grissom, who has proven to be an elite hitter when he’s on but is struggling to find a full-time position, is a player who can thrive in Cleveland. He is just as good as a top-100 prospect, if not better because he’s proven he can play in the majors successfully. Grissom has been shoehorned into the shortstop spot in Atlanta because they lost Dansby Swanson. In Cleveland, he could receive a fresh start.

Beyond Grissom, Jared Shuster is a former first-round pick and is pitching like it with the Braves. Shuster was rushed up to the majors this season because Atlanta suffered injuries to its rotation, including Max Fried and Kyle Wright. At 24 years old, Shuster is the Braves best prospect right now per MLB Pipeline.

If Cleveland is searching for a fast riser, look no further than A.J. Smith-Shawver, who at just 20 years old was fast-tracked to the major leagues to help the Braves ailing bullpen. Smith-Shawver does project more as a starter down the line, but Atlanta wants him to get his feet wet as a potential long-relief option first. They had success with this route when Max Fried was called up at a similar age. Assuming they see Smith-Shawver in the same light, he’s exactly the kind of young pitcher the Braves will want to hold onto, but Cleveland should insist upon in any trade package for Bieber.