The case for and against Braves making a move at MLB trade deadline

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of what the Atlanta Braves could do at the MLB trade deadline.

At 60-29, the Atlanta Braves have the best record in baseball heading into the All-Star Game.

Although the five-time reigning NL East winners were certainly on a shortlist of teams that could realistically win the World Series at the start of the year, nobody anticipated that they would be hotter than the freaking sun since Memorial Day weekend. It was a June to remember for Braves Country, as Atlanta began to run roughshod on pretty much any team the Braves would be facing.

With the trade deadline less than a month out, let’s discuss what they should … and shouldn’t do.

Pros of Atlanta Braves making a move at MLB trade deadline

The pros of adding players at the deadline are obvious. Atlanta is a serious World Series contender, so any move they make in the short-term would be justified by ownership and its rabid fanbase. The good news is Atlanta does not have a ton of holes to begin with. Its lineup is stacked. The starting rotation is doing just fine, and is getting healthier. The big area to address is the bullpen…

If the Braves were to make a move, that would be the area most people would be in favor of. Obviously, the farm system is not as deep as it used to be, but the Braves sure know how to develop their players at the minor-league level. Going after an arm or two to help get the bullpen over the top could make this team borderline unstoppable. Of course, you cannot overspend here.

Overall, the biggest pro towards making a trade deadline addition is that general manager Alex Anthopoulos would be assuring all of Braves Country that he wants to go and win it all this fall. He has made more good moves than bad over the years, so in Anthopoulos we trust. I don’t expect him to make a ton of them, but if the right piece or two is out there, then I would say go for it, man.

Now, let’s take a look at the cons of the Braves possibly making a move at the MLB trade deadline.

Cons of Atlanta Braves making a move at MLB trade deadline

There are three big cons when it comes to making a move at the deadline for the Braves. The first is it might actually disrupt the clubhouse chemistry. Admittedly, very rarely does this happen. Usually, it is the other way around. Look no further than the moves Atlanta made two summers ago to land Joc Pederson and company. Of course, you can get a Javy Baez to the New York Mets…

The second is all about the farm system. Because the Braves have been so good for so long, it is not as deep as it once was. Depending on how the market looks heading into the deadline, the Braves may have to pay a premium to get a quality relief pitcher, back-end starter or whomever. In the short-term, it is justified, but the wrong move could set the back a bit if they don’t go on a run.

Lastly, a high-profile move we are all probably expecting out of the Braves could backfire. Although they hit on pretty much every deal made in July 2021, the Richard Rodriguez trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates was nothing to write home about. We largely forgot about it because adding Pederson, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler all paid out in immediate dividends.

Just remember that every time you make a deal, there are winners and there are losers to be had.