The Braves are actively surveying the trade market in an effort to bolster their outfield group, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Atlanta recently brought veteran Eddie Rosario back on a minor league deal after he was released by the Nationals, but president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos is also canvassing the market for more certain upgrades. Talks to this point have been “preliminary” in nature, Rosenthal adds.
There’s little surprise that Atlanta is seeking to augment its outfield mix. Ronald Acuna Jr. was lost for the season two months ago when he suffered an ACL tear, and Michael Harris II is still on the mend from a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered in mid-June. That pair of injuries has left the Braves relying on Jarred Kelenic in center field, where he’s being flanked by a combination of Adam Duvall, Ramon Laureano and Luke Williams. (Laureano, like Rosario, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta after being released earlier in the season.)
As one would imagine after a pair of major injuries to starters, the production from the Atlanta outfield hasn’t been anywhere close to expectation this season. Braves outfielders have combined to hit .239/.296/.372 on the season. That batting average lands them in the middle of the pack of MLB clubs, but they’re 24th in OBP from their outfield corps and 21st in slugging. Going back to the time Acuna was lost for the season, Atlanta outfielders are hitting just .227/.276/.374.
It’s still “early” enough in trade season that a number of borderline Wild Card contenders haven’t committed to a deadline strategy yet. There are a handful of outfielders who’ll clearly be available in trade among the few clear-cut sellers, however. The White Sox (Tommy Pham, Luis Robert Jr., Gavin Sheets), A’s (Brent Rooker, Miguel Andujar), Marlins (Jazz Chisholm Jr.) and Angels (Kevin Pillar, Taylor Ward) all have outfielders who are expected to be available between now and the July 30 trade deadline. Depending on how things play out around the league, that list could expand to include names like Lane Thomas, Jesse Winker, Randal Grichuk, Harrison Bader, Kevin Kiermaier and Mark Canha, among others.
Presumably, Atlanta’s focus will be on shorter-term solutions. Acuna is signed through 2026 with club options for the 2027-28 seasons. Harris is signed all the way through 2030, with club options for the 2031-32 seasons. Kelenic is under club control via arbitration through 2028. It’s certainly possible the Braves still acquire someone signed/controlled beyond the current season, but any such acquisition would likely need some familiarity playing elsewhere on the diamond, as the 2025 outfield is generally already in place.
Salary is likely another factor worth taking into consideration. Per RosterResource, Atlanta’s luxury-tax ledger is just shy of $273MM, placing them a little more than $4MM away from the third tier of penalization. Crossing into the third tier is the point at which a team’s top pick in the following year’s draft is pushed back 10 places — an outcome most clubs prefer to avoid. A trade partner could always pay down some salary to help alleviate those concerns for the Braves, but that would also only increase the cost in terms of prospects.
Austin Hays
Yeah someone needs to poach some of the Orioles outfield excess.
i was thinking the same thing- perfect fit- about to be a FA- would not face him until deep in the playoffs so who cares if he does pan out.
At this point the Os have no specific high minors prospect need- so a lottery ticket or two type prospect (the 16/17 year olds in instruct league that have a 2% of popping)
Hays will be a free agent after 2025.
The Oriole have excess talent everywhere except pitcher. Holliday and Basallo for Skenes. Who says no?
All GMs that have actual MLB GM jobs.
The Pirates
lay off the sauce, Skenes isn’t going anywhere except first to Milwaukee to pitch on Thursday then to the AS game in Texas
One of the least crazy trade suggestions I’ve seen for Skenes or Holliday
At some point Baltimore needs to turn excess position players into pitching. Probably not Skenes but they will want young and controllable pitchers.
Everyone
If I’m the Orioles POBO, I’m keeping Hays,Mullins and Santander.
Starters in outfield for several years now. Main cogs in winning seasons of 22 and 23 with Santander flourishing this season while Hays and Mullins are starting to get on track. Kudos to all 3 considering the overtop in their face hype of all the young guns predicted to over take them. Winners!
I’m getting rid of Hays and Mullins yesterday. Your sentimental feelings have no value here. You have way better younger players that need to play and your goal is to win World Series and not to have winning seasons.
Nothing sentimental here Mets6986. This was your starting outfield during 22 and 23. Last year, help came from Hicks, not the young guns. And so far this year the young fella on the roster since opening day this year, Cowser, has tailed off big time. The Os r trying to win a WS. It will be done with Hays, Mullins and Santander getting everyday reps. If anything bring back Hicks.
Michael A Taylor is available, the Braves can have him for cash
No shi+
Taylor Ward, you are Atlanta Brave. Though their pool stinks out loud and the one thing perry has done well is trades when Arte isnt meddling.
“When Arte isn’t meddling”….Yes. There’s a reason baseball executives that have been relatively successful elsewhere couldn’t succeed in Anaheim.
The Angels need to trade Ward, Estévez, Anderson, immediately before they get exposed and lose any value they have!
And Perry will get trash back. Dumbest of many dumb GMs of the Angels.
His trades have been good, not sure what youre talking about. its been the FA’s and the not trading that have hurt the team.
Sounds like the making of a boring deadline for the Braves. Duvall should have never been signed.
Your crazy fever dream that the Braves need to rebuild is still crazy.
“Should have never been signed”…Nobody’s perfect, but 90% of A.A’s moves do seem to work out and Duvall has been successful in Atlanta previously.
90% of his moves seem not to be working. All of these young players signed to long extensions seem to have career hampering injuries. The Braves could be hamstrung for awhile if players don’t return to what they where and there’s a good chance they don’t.
“90% of his moves seem not to be working”..You do realize the Braves have won 6 str8 NL East titles?…I’d call that very successful and when you add the 2021 World Series cherry on top, Atlanta & A.A have been EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL. I won’t even dwell on the genius Sale/Kelenic moves. There’s only 1 or 2 teams in MLB that can rival this type success in the last 5-7 yrs.
Dumbest comment today
You are calling the move for Kelenic genius? I guess you are easily pleased. You paid thirty million dollars for him. He is slightly above average mlb ops this year. Do you still consider trading the younger more skilled Contreras away a win? The Braves are fighting to hold on to a playoff spot right now. They are only .500 since April and your major injuries occurred. Now is not the time to be saying how great your GM is.
Does Acuna not have two blown out knees now? Does Strider not have only two pitches and now a blown out elbow because of it. Do they not have long term contracts that will hamper the organization. Was it a horrible trade to trade the better younger cheaper Contreras,along with other talent, to a NL contender. Was it a horrible decision to let an icon walk to the Dodgers over a couple million dollars? The Braves should have multiple World Series titles but for his bad decisions.
Stupid
Ignorant post. Muted
Oh no. Not that. Who are you and why do you think anyone cares if you mute them?
Lol who are you turd. I don’t care if you care. Get a life
Another contract holdout who thought deserved a multi year deal, found wasn’t 1 to be had and ended up settling for a 1y deal, but less than for what he made the previous season.
Duval cut his own throat after the season. could have returned to boston for around the 7m he had just made/refused and sat out until mid ST. boston gave up virtually nothing early december for much younger and better all around Tyler O’neil, cutting off that potential reunion.. Duvall sunk himself, coupled with his extensive injury history and age? he made numerous blunders.
Will he even get an mlb deal this coming winter, or a “make good” milb contract. Nobody likes seeing previous good players fail, but often they do it to themselves. just like Duvall and others did this past offseason.
Steven Kwan for Max Fried
Who says no?
Both teams laugh at that suggestion.
Why would Cleveland deal 3 controllable years of Kwan for half a season of Max Fried? Braves fan here asking. Guardians wouldn’t consider that deal.
and why would the Braves trade a starter when they’re struggling to find a reliable 5th. Makes zero sense for both teams
Wrong article.
In a just world, Trevor should be waiting to be sentenced
So shouldn’t you.
@TheMan3
You’re just as bad as those who are certain Ohtani did something illegal.
The man is innocent and you should get a life.
@TheMan 3 So would you for defamation.
Trevor Cahill is a pitcher, not an outfielder.
We’re talking about another Trevor. Get with the program
“We’re talking about another Trevor”…Trevor Noah is not funny at all and I don’t really care for him, but “sentencing” him to jail is a little bit harsh.
wrong answer, I’m not talking about Trevor Noah
Trevor Megill is a pitcher also. Is there an outfielder named Trevor for which this article is about?
And the winner is….
Trevor Bauer
We all know that you idiot
Atlanta not going trade ace pitcher away at this point for a position player. The Braves are still in win now mode; for the Braves to trade Max Fried it would have to be an over blown offer. If Fried walks the Braves get a draft pick and additional slot money for signing players. Atlanta puts a high value on draft picks
Kelenic is looking better and better….I get focusing on a short term option to pair with Duvall but realistically need someone for next season as well while Acuna is on the mend again. Chisholm maybe?. Rooker will cost too much having 3 seasons of control left i believe…I still think SS needs to be addressed first, Arcia needs go back to a utility role.
And that’s where Ward comes in, just now becoming arb-eligible. ATL’s talent pool is shallow, but former AGM Minasian knows it better than most, allowing him a more suitable partner with AA.
Acuna should be back around the start of the season- it would be totally reasonable to bring in a bunch of rejects on minor league deals to make it work for the first few weeks of the season.
Recovery should be about 12 months, and it happened super early in the season this year.
Chisholm is overrated, has a high strike out rate. Braves probably get either Ward of Lane Thomas. I don’t think the Braves do anything with SS as most SS players available the defense is not as good as Arcia. Also the Braves have Nancho Alvarez just went to Triple A should be ready by next year.
AA is so creative with trades who knows what he will do. Nobody had any guesses about Chris Sale trade
Couldn’t Chisholm slide into SS once the outfield is well?
he could slide into short but more than likely he will slide into 2B moving albies to SS. Albies was our guy at SS until we got dansby and moved albies to 2b
They need to be in the market for SS help also. Don’t know if anyone has realized it, but Arcia is the worst hitter on the planet out of qualified hitters. His defense is good, but not worth the automatic unproductive out in the lineup
Paul DeJung, White Sox. Veteran, 15 Home Runs, solid defender
I guess SS is an outfield now?
solid defender? -22 Total zone and -14 Defensive runs saved. He’s a horrible defender. He’s got a 0.5 WAR compared to Arcia’s -0.1
The difference is that Arcia can actually improve his WAR by hitting, while DeJong’s defense will not get any better.
@Tony, I would think a package of DeJong and Pham could be acquired relatively cheap. Both are hitting decent enough and are FA’s at seasons end.
Alvarez could be up as soon as August
If the rest of the hitting wasn’t struggling then Arcia’s poor bat wouldn’t matter. His defense is fantastic.
No Mike Trout at the All Star game.
Good.
Cards would be happy to unload Carlson, but the Cards need another starter, and the Braves don’t have a ready supply.
They do, but they’re under-30. No dice for Moz.
Please get Taylor Ward from the Angels!!! If the Angels can get anything for him they must make the deal!!!
They can have Ward. Overrated. Strikes out way too much. His mechanics makes him prone to have long slumps, followed by 10-14 day hot streak, followed by another 3-4 week slump. Takes too many called 3rd strikes and check swings..
Get soler and Pederson they will help everything then all is well after losing acuna
Quit living in 2021
Ask the Mets for Brandon Nimmo. Good offense and defense. If not, then ask about Randy Arozarena or Taylor Ward. Not as good defense but decent offense.
Problem solved.
Next?
The Mets would never trade Nimmo to Atlanta; why make you division rivalry stronger
@Benjamin101677
Why not? Nimmo isn’t getting younger so they might as well capitalize on this time to build up their farm system. I get the concern about making a division rival stronger but it’s not like you’re giving him away for free. Honestly, in today’s MLB ,it’s pretty ridiculous to think like that when we’re playing every single team in the league and we have 6 playoff spots. Braves were the best offense last year and got knocked out of the first round by the WC Phillies.
01. The Mets may not sell at the deadline
02. Major inter division trades usually never happen; why trade Nimmo to Atlanta than have to face him.
03 Nimmo appears to be the face of the franchise and the Mets are close to a winning team
04 Nimmo is 32 with 6 years of $20,500,000 remaining salary left. Atlanta is not going take that amount of money in a trade. New York won’t eat a lot of it.
Nimmo to Atlanta never going happen
@Benjamin101677
Oh well, too bad for the Braves and Mets. Fortunately, I’m not an emotional person to think that one player should be the face of the team. They’re just numbers on a spreadsheet for me.
@Old York.: The numbers that should matter there are Nimmo’s contract details. Makes him of no interest to the Braves.
@NashvilleJeff
$20/6 is 3 and change. Are the Braves really worried about that amount? I think they spend that on hosting the games each year.
They’re on the edge of going over into the 3rd luxury tax. They’re definitely not going to take on a bloated long term deal for a 32 year old of’er.
@NashvilleJeff
Okay… I guess if $3M is going to destroy their budget, they have some serious issues.
C’mon. What’s w/the childish strawman responses to those who disagree w/your ideas?
@NashvilleJeff
Which childish response? I wasn’t suggesting anything against you.
Ok. Snide would have been a better word. Nobody said “$3M” would “destroy their budget.” It’s my opinion that they have no interest into entering the 3rd luxury tax level—especially for a 32 year old of’er on that bloated contract. Why would they want to pay Nimmo until he’s 38? That’s more the Mets style.
@NashvilleJeff
Thanks for the conversation.
Same.
Oldyork, did you actually think nimmo has 20 some odd million in total salary left on his deal instead of per year or are you just playing dense to troll lol
@HatlessPete
I was replying to the user who brought it up.
But regardless, 20M is nothing in todays market. It’s like crying about your taxes going up $5.00. Plus, Atlanta has tons of cash.
@Old York: You should give luxury tax implications more thought. Moving back 10 spots on their first round draft pick would accompany the Braves moving into the 3rd tax tier. More than just the 50% 3rd tier tax penalty to consider.
York, it has much bigger payroll implications than that though. Not only does nimmo himself cost the braves significantly more than 20 mill at the increased cbt rate, but that higher rate inflates the cost of any more additions they make this season. And then the money is tied up in nimmo for several more years when the braves already have 2/3 of their of locked up for several years.
Also, it’s not even really plausible that the Mets are going to make nimmo available. They are not locks to be sellers with how they’ve played recently first of all. And even if they do trade away some guys uncle Stevie is not going to tear it down and trade core pieces like nimmo, who’s having a great year, bet on that. However little you think money matters to Atl, it matters even less to mets ownership.In general, teams rarely if ever trade guys this early into a big fa deal or extension. Just doesn’t work that way. You’re completely missing the forest for the trees here.
@HatlessPete
Oh well, I’m sorry you don’t like my stupid, out of the box ideas.
@NashvilleJeff
Okay, okay, you win! Now, can I get a quick breath before you beat on me again?
😀
York, it’s okay bud lol. That’s how we learn!
Next is what can the Braves offer for any of them.
@SoCalBrave
While I’d like to answer that, every time I use BTV for trade evaluations, people on here complain about the program so I’ve stopped suggesting trade ideas. Well, unless it’s a bag of used balls and some crackerjacks.
Nimmo’s contract would be of no interest to the Braves. They’re likely to try and stay under the 3rd luxury tax tier. See them attempting to “upgrade” on the cheap.
@NashvilleJeff
Okay, what about Randy Arozarena or Taylor Ward.? Not as good defense but still decent bats.
@Old York: Yeah, can’t shoot down that idea. Could see AA taking an interest in both of them.
Mets would have to pay the vast majority of Nimmo’s contract, no one wants him for that. As usual, they bid against themselves.
@Sid Bream Speed Demon
Okay, enjoy nothing out of LF & RF this year.
The Mets aren’t trading Nimmo. He’s a Met for life now.
The Mets and Braves are not going to do business under any circumstances. It would take a miracle for any trade between inter divisional teams like that to be trade partners. The price for Atlanta to get a player like Nimmo would negate his value in the present.
@Jdt8312
Jdt8312 wins by a landslide victory!
Not sure who’s out there that would be a huge difference maker. I’d rather see AA get a SS and push Arcia to a utility bench player.
Cubs can trade Dansby back for nothing…
Is Mal included? He’s not going anywhere as long as she’s under contract with the Fire.
That’s if the pay down 40 percent what’s left of his deal
Braves are fine with the offense as Arcia is providing good defense. Someone like Bichette would be a step back defensive. If the Braves decide to do something at short I think they will call up Nancho Alvarez and run with him. Alvarez is most likely the Braves shortstop in 2025
Many in this thread have justified Arcia’s bad offense by saying he’s providing great defense.
According to Fangraphs, among SS, he’s 10th in the majors by Outs Above Average (3), and tied for 12th in Defensive Runs Saved (2).
It might be more fair to say he provides adequate defense while swinging a wet noodle.
There’s plenty of room for Atlanta to improve at that position.
Daulton Varsho and his league leading 18 DRS and 11 OAA is an example of a player whose defense actually justifies his use in spite of a somewhat weak bat.
I think the Braves are waiting for Alvarez to be here in 2025. Why make a big trade and get someone like Bichette giving up pieces when you may have as good of shortstop coming in 2025.
Also thinking that the Braves are thinking that if they get this line up right and hitting that Arcia may see better hitting.
The need and cheaper to fill need is a corner outfielder
I’ve heard Nacho isn’t a great defender at SS and is more suited at 2B which leads me to believe he will be traded.
His calling card was defense coming into the org at 3B. They were impressed enough to move him into SS. I believe the doubts are his speed/quickness that may be lacking that he makes up for instincts/arm. Considering his contact skills have gotten better and added power at AAA, he was the position prospect of the year in 2023 and now top position prospect in the organization. Considering the short leash on Arcia, I wouldn’t look at them shopping him without gaining a SS. I can’t see them bringing him up during a playoff race unless he’s hitting the cover off the ball, defending well and Arcia is either injured for awhile OR hasn’t improved on his MLB-worst bat. If they didn’t believe he’d stick, wouldn’t mind another Chris Sale-like return.
Hmm, Bichette and Keirmeir from the Jays? Would price be that high?
For Kiermaier, no. probably just a middling or lesser prospect of some sort.
Bichette, despite this years struggles, has a pretty long track record of success. He won’t be cheap to get, and he has another year of control.
Sky high buddy. kk would basically cost a lottery ticket but Bo would be like 2 top prospects and someone from the roster type of package
Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ for Nacho Alvarez, Drue Hackenburg, and Luis Guanipa.
Braves would be crazy to do that. Cubs would be crazy not to do so
as much as I’d like a Happ/Short team up, we need Nacho to take over SS next year
Bellinger has a horrible contract; with opt outs. If this trade happened and he did a Rosario type 2021 second half with Atlanta he would opt out and be good. If instead Belinger was hurt he would just stay and clog up the team and the money on the books.
The Braves window is not closing to win there are still several years of on paper winning so Alvarez is much better as a future piece in Atlanta as early as 2025 as shortstop than an all in for this year move.
Happ has a full no trade and bellinger has an opt out so huge downside risk, not to mention the fact that they are each making a pretty hefty amount of money. Hard to imagine a worse or more unrealistic trade fit than this one.
Happ or Suzuki for Dodd, Franklin and Baldwin
The braves are not taking on that kind of money with where they are on payroll and cbt position. A tommy pham type is a much more realistic expectation rn
Why would the Cubs want Alvarez? Not a very good fit for them. They’re stuck w/Dansby, Hoerner seems like their 2Bman of choice w/that 3 year $35M extension he signed this past off season, and the Braves have no near term options at SS other than Alvarez. Not saying he’s untouchable, but I’d be surprised if AA includes him in deals at this time.
I know that the Cardinals are not sellers, but they have an overload of outfielders. They could trade Carlson and/or Siani. Teams will want Carlson more for a few reasons. First, he is 25. Still have plenty of years in front of him. Second, he still have years of control left. Third, he is a switch hitter.
Cardinals can use a starter or 2. Maybe something can be done to help both teams.
Braves should trade for Randy Arozarena and Zach Eflin. Rays always want to shed payroll and get younger. Give up Nacho, Baldwin, AJSS/Waldrep, and Elder. Braves eat the money.
But do the braves want to take on that kind of money? Doubtful. Eflin has another year on his deal and the salary jumps up next season for him. Arozarena is deep enough into arb with enough success in mlb thar he’s not exactly the cheapest either. And he’s having a down year with the bat rn. Why on earth would the braves deal multiple of their better prospects for this package?
Can’t give this enough thumbs up Pete.
Thanks lol. These armchair gm trade scenarios in the comments are always wild af lol
That’s the worst proposal I’ve ever heard. No chance AA thinks on this for a half second.
George Springer
not a bad idea….but isn’t he basically the same version as Duvall right now? 34 years old and still good defense bit struggling at the plate. Although he’s hit better lately (according to fantasy stats lol)
Think what people forget under new playoff rules Braves could get no production from shortstop and outfield. Get in as a wild card. Have Arcia and Duvall get hot for 2.5 weeks and end up with a World Series title.
Regular season doesn’t matter as much in new playoff format. Nobody remembers who won the most games during the season. All people remember are post season hero’s and World Series winners.
2021 was the worst record team Atlanta took into playoffs got hot and won it all. People will remember that longer than the 2023 that had the best regular season winning record and got knocked out early.
And they’d probably have a better chance as a wild card. Baseball is a precision sport. You can’t keep guys away from live pitching for almost a week, and expect them to be at their best. Getting a bye in baseball is as good as a second round ouster.
Oh yeah, Canha & that .338 slugging is quite the upgrade Steve!
And I can’t believe you actually included Kiermaier on your list!! Who wants that garbage?
Hello Orioles (if Atlanta has any pitching to trade)
Tommy Pham is the Braves best option. Probably get him for nothing and he probably goes off for the rest of the year.
Hey now the braves already have Eddie Rosario at home lol!
The Mets, and Marlins are not doing business with the Braves. Forget Bader, and Chisolm going to Atlanta.
Jain Soto to the braves for their best pitching prospect and best position player prospect
Honestly think the Braves should stay away from big trades and only add small pieces at the deadline. No need to pay the extra tax, move down in the draft, or leverage the farm system. A couple of cheap pickups like Tommy Pham and Jake Cave solidify the outfield and they cruise into the playoffs.
Arosareno would fit in perfectly with the braves. That would give them six outfielders that can’t hit.