In a season that was supposed to be full of optimism, the Atlanta Braves‘ season has been anything but. As the trade deadline approaches, the Braves are left with very little in their arsenal to perform a lot of significant trades typical of sellers. That doesn’t mean this trade deadline will be a complete wash, as they can still make some noise at the deadline, but they will have to be creative.
Proposed Trade:
Braves Receive: RHP Skylar Hales (Rangers #28 Prospect) and SS/2B Cameron Cauley (Rangers #21 Prospect)
Rangers Receive: DH/OF Marcell Ozuna
Marcell Ozuna is the number one candidate to be traded by the Braves at the deadline, and the Texas Rangers are starting to get hot. One thing the Rangers need is a power bat, and Ozuna can provide that, albeit he has had a slower year this year due to injury. If Ozuna can return to playing every day and being productive, he’s a great fit for what Texas needs down the stretch.
Since Ozuna’s production has been hindered, his return won’t be stellar. Atlanta needs a young arm that can come up before the end of the year, or at the very least, the beginning of next year. Skylar Hales has the potential to be a solid relief option despite sporting a less-than-stellar 6.46 ERA across AA and AAA this year. He’s only 23 and packs some severe heat with a high 90s fastball, so he’s a solid pickup for a bullpen that will likely be reworked before next season.
The other need the Braves have is to gain another middle infielder to play either SS or 2B soon. They have prospects, such as Jose Perdomo, and draft picks, like Tate Southisene, who have superstar potential but are a few years away from being MLB-ready. Cameron Cauley has yet to show a lot of potential in the batter’s box, but he has elite speed and an above-average arm. If the bat catches up, he’ll be a solid replacement for Ozzie Albies, who has a club option for next year.
Proposed Trade:
Braves Receive: LHP Sam Aldegheri (Angels #8 Prospect)
Angels Receive: RHP Raisel Iglesias
This trade is entirely contingent on the Los Angeles Angels being buyers at the deadline. They need pitching depth, and Atlanta needs to dump an expiring contract in Raisel Iglesias. Alex Anthopoulos is known to make deals with teams multiple times and is well acquainted with Angels’ GM, Perry Minasian, a former Assistant GM in Atlanta. Iglesias provides the depth the Angels need should they make a run.
What Sam Aldegheri brings to the table is a pitcher who can eat innings down the stretch for the Braves, who desperately need an extra starter for the rest of the year. He has struggled so far in his two most recent stints at the Major League level, but he has considerable upside at just 23 years old. At worst, he starts the rest of the year and then transitions to the bullpen for next year. That’s a win for Atlanta.
Braves Receive: LHP Brock Selvidge (Yankees #13 Prospect) and Clayton Beeter (Yankees #22 Prospect)
Yankees Receive: SS/3B Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Braves #3 Prospect), RHP Pierce Johnson, and LHP Aaron Bummer
This is a trade that probably won’t happen, but definitely should. The New York Yankees need a third baseman and relief pitching, so this trade would fill both of those needs. Nacho Alvarez Jr. has yet to meet his potential in Atlanta, but he could thrive in a new location, especially considering the Yankees’ lack of position player depth. Pierce Johnson has been one of the better relievers this year for the Braves, and Aaron Bummer has been serviceable as both a reliever and spot starter. Atlanta would also benefit from dropping Bummer’s nine-million-dollar contract, which could free up room for potential additions this winter.
On the return, the Braves get two pitchers with high upside in a New York system that is loaded with pitchers ahead of them. Brock Selvidge provides the most intrigue and has looked good in AA, sporting a 2.92 ERA. Selvidge will be a longer-term investment as compared to Clayton Beeter, who will be able to provide Atlanta with an immediate arm for either the rotation or bullpen. Beeter hasn’t looked as good as Selvidge, but has pitched at the Major League level and should be a serviceable arm.
For many Braves fans, such as myself, being a seller at the deadline is unfamiliar territory. This season has been a season that seems never to end, and there appears to be a new level of disappointment every night. The least the organization could do is provide some excitement at the deadline by adding some young prospects who could help in the years to come. Maybe this way, some of the sting of this season could be alleviated.
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