Braves Rumors: Ranking the 12 best trade targets for Atlanta to pursue
Atlanta is going to buy at the trade deadline and we’re ranking the 12 best (and realistic) trade targets for the Braves before Aug. 1.
The MLB Trade Deadline on Aug. 1 is now just over a week away, and all eyes in the National League are at least glancing at the Atlanta Braves. Owners of the best record in baseball at 63-34 entering Sunday, the 2021 World Series champions are likely going to be buyers as they try to fill out the holes on the roster.
Most notably, the Braves could use pitching help. Upgrading an injury-plagued bullpen is by far the most pressing concern for Alex Anthopoulos at the trade deadline, which is unlikely to change. However, an uncertain timetable for Kyle Wright’s return from injury, even with Max Fried soon getting back to the big leagues, and a number of other injuries could also cause Atlanta to poke around the market for an addition to the rotation. And if they’re frisky, they could also add another bat to the platoon in left field.
The big conundrum is that the Braves have one of the worst farm systems in baseball by most rankings, so their options are somewhat limited as to who they could pursue. Put simply, they won’t be in the markets for Marcus Stroman, Justin Verlander, or other big names such as that.
Considering all of this, I’ve narrowed it down to 12 Braves trade targets who the club could realistically pursue and make a deal for. And naturally, we’re ranking those 12 players by who would be the biggest and best upgrades and values for the Braves at the 2023 trade deadline.
Braves Rumors: Ranking Atlanta’s 12 best trade targets
Braves Trade Target No. 12: Adam Duvall, OF, Boston Red Sox
With the way the Red Sox have come out of the All-Star break, the odds of the club selling outright at the trade deadline have dropped precipitously. In fact, it’s far more likely they’re buyers than anything.
At the same time, in order to buy and make some key moves for now and the future, they could be wise to unload at a position where they have a surplus. And that could put a familiar face in outfielder Adam Duvall on the radar as he’s part of a crowded group in Boston that includes Jarren Duran, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida, Rob Refsnyder and perhaps Kiké Hernandez soon too.
Duvall got off to a red-hot start this season but an injury killed his momentum and he struggled when he returned. He’s started to rebound lately and the Braves, if they’re inclined to go after an outfield depth upgrade, could bank on that with someone who has a previous relationship with the club.
Braves Trade Target No. 11: Lance Lynn, SP, Chicago White Sox
For my money, the Braves won’t get involved in the Lucas Giolito trade market at the deadline. Everyone knows the White Sox are selling and the veteran is one of the top targets around the league. That doesn’t seem like a battle that Atlanta would be willing to get involved in.
With that said, the Southsiders aren’t just possibly dealing one starting pitcher as Lance Lynn, who has only a club option for 2024 remaining on his contract, could be another asset. The numbers for Lynn have been, frankly, bad, with a 6.16 ERA on the season. But his numbers against righties and an increased home-run rate that look like an outlier in his career give some hope that, with a change of scenery, he could be much better and back to form.
Lynn’s market too could be lucrative, to be sure, which is why he comes in as only the No. 11 target. Even still, if Alex Anthopoulos likes a deal he could make for Lynn, then the veteran could help the Braves immensely down the stretch in the rotation.