Fansided

4 relievers Braves need to trade for with Aroldis Chapman off the board

By Cody Williams

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 02: Aroldis Chapman #45 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on July 02, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 02: Aroldis Chapman #45 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on July 02, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) /
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Braves Rumors, Atlanta Braves trade targets, Kendall Graveman, Chicago White Sox
Kendall Graveman, Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Braves need to seriously consider a Kendall Graveman trade with White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have entered a strange space less than a month from the trade deadline wherein they don’t remotely look like a contender still but are still within striking distance in the AL Central, just 5.5 games back of the Twins and Guardians atop the division. As such, the fire sale reportedly on deck from earlier in the season might not be as lucrative as once expected.

With that said, with the White Sox clearly still not in position to compete for anything more than a playoff berth by winning one of the worst divisions in baseball, they could still sell at the deadline. And Kendall Gravemen could be one of the smartest assets for the front office to move while also being a player who should be of keen interest to the Braves.

Graveman is in the second year of a contract that runs out after next season and pays the veteran righty just $8 million per season. With that type of contract for the 32-year-old, if the White Sox want to get the most value in a year where they aren’t in contention, then trading him now while he’s also in the midst of a season in which he’s posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP would be a wise option.

For the Braves, Graveman is a fantastic option with role-based versatility as he can slot into to a late-inning role with Iglesias and Minter or become a high-end floater. Wherever they see him fitting, though, a veteran who has posted a sub-3.20 ERA in each of the past three seasons is something that could highly valuable to Atlanta’s World Series hopes this season and moving forward too.

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