The Braves began the second half with a 15-1 beatdown of the Rangers. It’s their second-highest scoring game of the season and stretched their NL East lead over the Phillies back to three games.
Atlanta’s lineup has picked back up this month after they were easily the worst offensive team in the league in June. They were dead last in runs, homers, and all three slash categories. It was a bizarre few weeks for a club that was second in scoring (behind only the Nationals) through the end of May.
While they seem to have gotten back on track, that ugly showing last month could impact the front office’s deadline approach. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Atlanta’s early focus has been concentrated more on the offense than on starting pitching. That’s certainly not to say the Braves won’t add a starter, but Rosenthal suggests they’ll take the next couple weeks to evaluate their internal options behind Chris Sale while monitoring the injury progressions of Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach.
The Braves will get an offensive boost when Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from the left hamstring strain that has cost him five weeks. Skipper Walt Weiss told Mark Bowman of MLB.com this afternoon that the five-time All-Star, who is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett, could be back within the next week.
While Acuña hasn’t played at his usual level this season, he’ll obviously return to an everyday right field role. Atlanta is also without Mike Yastrzemski, Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy — none of whom have contributed much this season. Yastrzemski shouldn’t need too long to recover from elbow inflammation. Kim is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired right middle finger, while Murphy has been down since May with a broken finger of his own.
Yastrzemski has a slightly underwhelming .230/.321/.365 batting line in 262 plate appearances. He needs a right-handed hitting platoon partner even when he’s going well. Mauricio Dubón has been the everyday left fielder in his absence. Jim Jarvis and Jorge Mateo are splitting the shortstop work with Kim sidelined. They’re probably reluctant to turn that position back to Kim regardless, as he hit .068 without an extra-base knock in 27 games between IL stints.
The Braves could look outside the organization for help at left field or shortstop. Dominic Smith’s bat has tanked over the last two months, meaning Yastrzesmki could take some designated hitter reps if they acquire an outfielder. Dubón is capable of handling a regular shortstop role, as he did at the beginning of the season, but is most valuable as a multi-position player.
That could include some playing time at third base, where Austin Riley has struggled all season. He’s hitting .210/.290/.339 with a 29% strikeout rate across 390 plate appearances. Riley still has plus bat speed, but he’s chasing more often and not barreling balls up at anywhere near his usual level. He’d also underperformed late last year while dealing with a core injury that required season-ending surgery.
Riley is signed through 2032 on what has become an underwater contract. It’s unlikely the Braves will trade for a third baseman on another huge deal (e.g. Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette). They could inquire on someone like Houston’s Isaac Paredes or San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt, both of whom can play third base while factoring in at other positions. There aren’t many clear shortstop trade candidates. Atlanta could inquire on the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe or try to land a multi-positional type like Minnesota’s Brooks Lee or Texas’ Ezequiel Duran. Any of those teams might require MLB bullpen help to consider a trade when they’re all in the AL playoff picture.
Man I wonder what happened to Austin Riley, at first his contract looked like a steal and he would consistently be a top 3rd baseman
It’s incredible that the braves are doing this well with guys like Riley, Acuna, Yas, Profar not contributing at all
The incredible part to me is losing Strider and Schwellenbach and playing so well. Not to mention the large handful of other SP they have lost the last few years.
I also forgot about Kim and Murphy not doing anything, on top of setup man Suarez going down recently
Joe Jimenez, strider, riley, profar, murphy, Kim. You add up the salary of those guys, and you’ll see that nearly half Atlanta’s payroll has produced negative WAR. Pretty crazy.
Profar is not being paid a dime this year and shouldn’t be on your list. But I get your point. You could add Bummer though.
Why would we go after starting pitching? For sure, at an average of 5i innings or less per meh start, we’re in great shape!
I realize Strider has had injury issues but he really hasn’t been reliable since 2023. At what point do his 2 good seasons seem like a fluke?
@strange faces Fluke? He got injured. There is nothing flukey about his numbers those years. He was downright nasty. But yeah, I think hes cooked. He wants his body to do something it cant sustainably do. So no, not a fluke. But dominant strider is probably over.
I think Riley losing his life long hitting coach and father-like mentor a few years ago has been a bigger factor then what most people realize. I could be wrong but I really do think that has been a huge impact along with the injuries he has suffered.
That may play a role. Also, his recovery from the core surgery could be underappreciated.
Yes, it’s too early to describe Austin’s deal as under water. Recovery takes time for an injury like that, then suddenly he’s the old Riley again.
Don’t think they will be looking heavily at offense. Many are forgetting Fuentes is largely being spared innings now so he’ll be good to start later. They have needed a Morton type pitcher for awhile now. When Elder was providing that (6-7 solid innings/start) the rotation was solid. But much of the doom about the rotation assumes they will have little luck in getting much from 1. Strider or Schwellenbach 2. Elder 3. Waldrep 4. Ritchie/Murphy 4. Fuentes 5.Smith-Shawver 6. Perez. That’s 8 guys. Realistically they are probably gonna get rotation help from 2 of them. So talks of desperately needing 2 SP is overdone. Should mention Lopez is looking solid.
I think they should go out and get a somewhat good right fielder to back up Acuna when he is hurt every year like a Mickey Moniak or a Joe Adell. Prospects to give up would be like Owen Murphy, Owen Carey, or an Eric Hartman.
Eric Hartman is arguably a top
10 prospect in baseball and having a historically elite season. Teams will be tripping over their phones to inquire about him, but any trades involving him need to yield a significant return, e.g Logan Webb. Even with a fully healthy pitching staff, the Braves honestly don’t have a playoff-run compliment to Chris Sale. The Dodgers and Phillies have multiple “aces” built for the playoffs. I’d be shocked if the Braves don’t make a play for at least Webb.
If Webb has a few good starts after last couple rough ones, it will be a bidding war. Our beloved WSox for example would make a run at him to reward its young lineup for carrying most of the load in its surprise season. OTOH-Skubal rental to join Sale is an all-in move to consider since the latter is getting up there to stay dominant/healthy.
Except Buster Posey says he’s not trading Webb or Lee. Webb I get, but Lee an untouchable?
They need to respect Eric Hartman‘s authority.
First, love your nickname – played the same position in high school. You’re probably right about Webb, but pray there might be a slight chance now that Gray is apparently off the table.
Eric Hartman is the last person they should trade.
He’ll fit in well for the 2032 team
None of those guys are happening for a rental that can barely hit .250 and their K rates
Man my first thought is great point but none of these guys are very good. Fuentes may be something but Strider and Schwellenbaach are fine for the year, the former perhaps all done sadly. The rest are mediocre at best. Ritchie can’t throw hard or well. Can’t understand the hype about him. Same across the board really. 0 are playoff pitchers.
Done for the year not fine
I just feel it’s unrealistic to expect a team to have a bunch of top half of the rotation guys. They have the best bullpen ERA. Lopez is pitching well. Sale is great. Fuentes looks very good. Holmes is a quality pitcher. And someone else may show up and get on a run. Don’t need 2 starters. Could use one. Injuries can always happen tho.
I ultimately just don’t like trading for players with almost no control left which is what always happens. It rarely brings a WS
The person wrote this really don’t keep up with the Braves. They are not going to pick up another 3rd baseman while they are paying Riley $22 million a year. They are not going to pick up another SS because a better option is not available. They will do a patch work with the 3 options they have now. Jarvis is the future and Kim is in the minors so he can have a “Spring Training” and maybe he will get back on track. Their biggest need is starting pitching, maybe 2 more SP. they need another BP are and a RH bat.
Imagine Jim Jarvis is your future at SS
It’s like some of you learned nothing from proclaiming Arcia as the future.
These journeymen who have a few good couple months aren’t the future. It’s astounding how the Braves have their fans buying into this model of thinking so much. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. The FO should offer a master class on manipulation or something. It’s about the only thing they are good at.
The “Future” is what MLB teams sell to fans all the time. We’re fans so we want to believe it and usually do.
Jarvis is only 25. I wouldn’t consider him a journeyman…I also wouldn’t call him the future either.
Jarvis can be a decent stopgap until someone like Gil or Lodise is ready
Then behind them is Monon.
One of those guys are hopefully the future. With Southiscene replacing Albies in a couple years
I’m a Braves fan and I value what I see much more than what I want to believe, and I just don’t see it. Too much has to go just right and near every option has to have a high-percentile outcome. Not buying what they’ve been selling. As they say, “Hope is not a strategy.”
Tell me you’ve been a fan for 10 years or less without telling me you’ve been a fan for 10 years or less.
The system is loaded with guys who are able to be the SS of the future. Jarvis can play and he’s 25. He needs to get the lion share of the run now. Not to say his future role won’t be utility.
You are a huge crybaby on here. Team’s in first, players are coming back, just had a great draft. Pick a new team, your vibes are like a Mets fan.
I don’t think a guy that was just drafted in June of 2023 should be labeled a “journeyman”. If they don’t give Jarvis a longer look, they won’t know what he is capable of. I’ve seen enough of Kim to call that a failed experiment.
Jarvis may be a good backup, perhaps a stopgap, but I don’t see him as a starter longterm.
Strong username to comment topic lol
@braves25 fair enough I might be using the term journeyman a bit liberally here. I think we’re on the same page with what I’m saying about him though.
Now he’s won MVP Acura probably lost all his motivation since his contract is so cheap and so bad that all he’s thinking is how to get out of it but he knows he can’t.
Idk bout his mindset but he plays very hard and is only signed thru 2028. Granted he may have had a leg or two amputated by then. But not sure anybody is sulking over making $17M next year.
Really unnecessary to do a write up like this on the Braves deadline approach. Let me summarize for you. Here’s the approach:
Ignore LF, SS, DH, and playoff caliber SP. Acquire a 7th inning setup man. Acquire a few back end veteran starters and send them to the minors. Wonder why they play .500 the rest of the way.
That’s it. That’s the strategy. It’s the strategy every offseason and deadline.
Sorry I forgot to add in my summary part of their strategy will be to leak that they made “offers” to a few high end targets and it just didn’t work out (I use offers loosely because they’ll be offers that never had a chance of being accepted)
Gotta save face with the fan base and pretend to try.
2032 coming back out of the woodwork with his toxic, morbid pessimism as soon as the Braves start playing poorly for a couple weeks is just…special. I’ve never seen someone despise something the way 2032 despises the Braves in any comment section that even casually mentions the Braves. You gotta admire the commitment to the bit.
AA has never acquired a quality SP during the trade deadline, his top SP acquisition have been Jake Odorizzi in ’22 and Yonny Chorinos in ’23.
Yonny Chorinos sounds like something you get after eating tainted fish.
He did the blockbuster for Price when he was in Toronto
He only did that because he was going to leave Toronto and wanted to go all in on 2015
Like a dog who’ll take any scraps you throw out there.
I think Riley will find his way and have a good second half. Yesterday was a good start with that HR. I’m playing Duban at SS regularly while shopping for a SP and an OF.
Don’t wanna trade prospects for a rental. AA can get what he needs without paying a huge price. Gurriel (Arizona) would make a good platoon partner for Yaz. Believe Braves can get a SP like Mahle (SF) or Singer (CINN) for not much more than a case of Bazooka bubble gum.
Hope Suarez won’t be out much longer. Lee, Suarez and Iglesius is as good a 7th, 8th and 9th inning trifecta as anybody’s.
Lastly, Braves need to win the NL East and avoid that first round which taxes the pitching for the rest of the playoffs. The Phillies will keep things close, and the NL East winner may not get settled until the final weekend.
Braves need to go get Wacha from Kansas City and/or Ray from San Francisco. Neither of those options would cost a lot and could provide more consistency within the rotation. No one is getting Gray from Boston and I really dont believe the Braves are really in on Skubal. I am eager to see what Owen Murphy can provide in his start this afternoon.
Avoid the first round? Braves are already 3.5 back of the Brewers for that 2nd bye spot. That ship has completely sailed
They’ll be lucky to win the East and/or be the host that first round.
As any baseball fan knows, ships don’t completely sail due to a 3.5 game deficit in mid-July. Something smells trollish to me.
Direction of the team matters more than the 3.5 games.
What’s trollish is playing obtuse to make a weak argument that it’s only 3.5 games.
Why don’t you assess the WHOLE picture? You’re chasing the Brewers. The current state of the team. You have the 6th toughest schedule post ASB. And the 3.5 games back positioning.
I’m so so sorry that some of you live in la-la and CHOOSE to ignore the complete picture to put the most positive spin possible that it’s only 3.5 games in July
Whatever. When October rolls around and ATL isn’t even hosting the WC round do not be shocked. I am at least trying to prepare you but somehow I’m always the bad guy on here.
Being a fan does not equal being naively optimistic 24/7 which is what some of you think it means. Again so sorry that I can think critically about the entire situation rather than bury my head in the sand hyper focusing on it only being 3.5 games.
What do you get out of all of this, TradeAcuna?
Someone struck a nerve! The post only questioned your over-the-top “ship has completely sailed” claim in July. All the other stuff in your response is you refuting arguments the post didn’t make. It IS only 3.5 games. Hardly insurmountable.
FWIW: ATL strength of schedule is .512. MIL sos is .498. I’m not sure that’s a particularly strong factor.
4.5 games. NOW it’s insurmountable
If you think the Braves will catch the Brewers for a first round bye by adding Mahle or Singer you are delusional. Only the top two division winners get byes. Unless the Braves add a #2 SP they should be put of the playoffs by Columbus Day.
The only pitcher AA did trade for who did turn awesome was Sale, lately his SP pitcher trade history hasn’t been good. They need Skubal.
You just got done saying that almost all of his trades for a starter don’t work out and then you ask for another one? Interesting.
For SKUBAL should i say more? You could be the worst general manager… getting skunal is a sure thing.
I was merely pointing out the irony of your comment. Furthermore, there’s no such thing as a “sure thing”.
Work a deal with Detroit who needs a 3B. Riley heads the package from Atlanta (change of scenery) and Mize from Detroit (it seems unlikely they will trade Skubal as they are only 3.5 games out of a WC). Add in other pieces to complete the trade. Could be prospects or win now bats like Torres, bullpen pieces, bench bats. If you want a bad contract trade add Javy in for SS where he still plays well. If they trade Riley they are NOT getting the return they would have two years ago but Mize and Torres could well be the right type of fits for a World Series run this year. If Riley can right the ship in Detroit then that fixes a recurring problem this year and beyond. I can see the framework of a deal here that helps both teams this year and beyond.
I would love to see the Braves get Joe Ryan and Casey Mize to shore up the pitching. Grabbing Taylor Ward for the out field. Have a rotating DH to give guys rest. That would allow Dubion to be a super utility while Jarvis and Mateo cover short. Ryan would be the most expensive.
I think if they get a starter it will be Ray or detmers. I would ignore SS. Get a right hand platoon bat and the offense is fine.
Unless Skubal’s price drops (which I doubt), Bravos won’t get him. A realistic option could be Sonny Gray, which wouldn’t be that bad. Riley has not had a good year, but I’m hoping he turns it up in the 2nd half. I’m more optimistic about Strider, Schwell, Acuna, and Murphy than HSK. Made sense why they signed him. It just hasn’t worked out.
Can we please get rid of Kinley. Holy cow. I still don’t know why we keep him. He lets a run go every time he pitches.
Everyone gets so enamored when they win a game now. This is what .500 teams do, look unbeatable for a few games and then lose next 5 of 7…yes Kinley has lost 4 games by my count so far do to giving up bombs smh .
Even when we win, he tends to give up a run or two. He seems like a nice guy, but his control is poor. I know we probably keep him because we need arms, I don’t see him staying long-term.