Braves Eye AL All-Star Outfielder After Acuña Jr. Injury**
Following Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending injury, the Atlanta Braves are exploring trade options to bolster their outfield. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Braves are considering Oakland Athletics’ outfielder Brent Rooker as a potential acquisition. Other names in the mix include Tommy Pham of the Chicago White Sox and Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. However, for now, the Braves plan to rely on their internal options to replace Acuña.
Acuña, the reigning NL MVP, suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact play, ending his season abruptly. The Braves have responded by shifting Adam Duvall to right field and bringing Jarred Kelenic into left field to cover the immediate gap in their lineup.
Rooker stands out as a particularly appealing trade target. At 29, he is in his prime and was an All-Star last season. This year, he leads the Athletics with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, boasting a .286 batting average and a .933 OPS. His versatility in playing both corner outfield spots and serving as a designated hitter adds further value.
Currently, the Braves hold a 30-21 record, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East but maintaining a strong position for the first NL Wild Card spot. With the recent addition of an ex-All-Star infielder, the Braves may need to make further moves to compensate for the significant loss of Acuña for the remainder of the season.
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