**3 Early Trade Deadline Targets for the Braves**
Despite being a strong team, the Braves find themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Here’s how Atlanta can improve before the MLB trade deadline.
After two consecutive 100-win seasons without playoff success, the Braves aim to make a breakthrough in 2024. Although they’ve started well, they are currently 9.0 games behind the Phillies, who have had an even better start.
To bridge this gap, here are three early trade targets for the Braves:
**Braves Trade Needs**
**Starting Pitcher**
The season-ending elbow surgery of Cy Young candidate Spencer Strider has left a significant void in the Braves’ rotation. While Chris Sale, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and Reynaldo Lopez have performed well, the fifth starter position has been unstable. Seven different pitchers have started games this year, none from the opening day rotation. With a nine-game deficit, adding a top-tier starting pitcher is crucial.
**Right Field**
The Braves suffered another major blow with Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending knee injury in May. Although Acuña was having a down year, his absence has led to a noticeable drop in production. Adam Duvall, hitting just .180 for the season and .130 since Acuña’s injury, has not filled the gap. A cost-effective rental player to replace Acuña would be ideal.
**Left Field**
Acuña’s injury has also impacted left field. Adam Duvall, who was part of a left-field platoon with Jarred Kelenic, has shifted to right field. Kelenic has an OPS of .722 but struggles against left-handed pitchers. Adding a fourth outfielder to support Kelenic and Duvall is necessary, as the Braves rank 22nd in outfield WAR this season.
**Braves Trade Targets**
**Zach Eflin (SP), Tampa Bay Rays**
Zach Eflin, after a successful 2023 with the Rays, leads MLB pitchers in walk rate. While his strikeouts are down and ERA is up, he remains a reliable starter. If the Rays falter, the Braves might acquire him to strengthen their rotation.
**Amed Rosario (OF/2B/SS), Tampa Bay Rays**
Amed Rosario isn’t a blockbuster name but is versatile, playing both corner outfield and middle infield. With a .729 OPS and a one-year, $1.5 million deal, he’s an affordable option to bolster the Braves’ outfield.
**Kenley Jansen (RP), Boston Red Sox**
Though the Braves’ bullpen is strong, injuries to key relievers and a lack of reliable save options outside Raisel Iglesias necessitate additional depth. Kenley Jansen could be a valuable veteran addition, providing flexibility to compensate for Strider’s absence and bolstering the bullpen.
While the Braves will explore the starting pitching market, adding a veteran reliever like Jansen could be a more pragmatic move to enhance their postseason prospects.
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