Braves Rumors: 3 trade targets from other buyers, 1 team to avoid

2. Braves should work with Orioles to find an Austin Hays or Anthony Santander trade

The future is now for the Baltimore Orioles. We saw flashes of it a season ago, but they have fully arrived as they have the second-best record in the American League as of this writing — though that still has them in second in the AL East thanks to the work the Rays have done in the 2023 season.

In a recent column highlighting the biggest trade needs for all 30 MLB teams, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden (subscription required) identified two key things. Firstly, they need pitching depth both in the rotation and bullpen. Secondly, top prospect Colten Cowser appears ready to make the jump from Triple-A to the majors, which could motivate the Orioles to try and move one of Austin Hays or Anthony Santander.

Either Hays or Santander would give the Braves a massive boost with their .853 and .796 OPS, repsectively, on the year and with Atlanta looking for depth options beyond Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario in left field and in the DH role.

Now, you’re probably thinking that Atlanta isn’t a great dance partner for Baltimore given their own need for pitching. While that’s true on the surface, the return of Kyle Wright and Max Fried will boost the rotation a great deal and will give Alex Anthopoulos more flexibility to move young arms like Jared Shuster, Dylan Dodd and others if they have the right deal on the table.

Particularly if the Braves are able to make other moves to address the need for pitching, the Orioles could take one of those young guys with some MLB experience and middling success on as the heart of a package for the much-desired upgrade in the outfield for the Braves.