Atlanta Braves trade talk: 3 way-too-early trade targets

A way-too-early Atlanta Braves trade target: Trey Mancini

With the first two players mentioned in this article, we have focused on which players can help in the outfield. However, there is another position with the Braves in dire need of some assistance as well, and that’s the designated hitter role.

So far this season (heading into Wednesday’s action), Atlanta has minus-0.5 bWAR from the six players who have filled the DH role so far this year (Marcell Ozuna leads the pack with 67 plate appearances). If the Braves were to make a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini, Atlanta would not only have a solid backup for Matt Olson at first base (where Mancini has played in 14 games in 2022), but also help in the outfield (Mancini has played five games in right field and one in left this season) and at the DH (where Mancini has batted in 23 games this year).

There is a mutual option on the books for Mancini for 2023 after the 30-year-old cancer survivor played this season under a one-year, $7.75 million deal. However, Mancini, currently slashing .293/.358/.382, has also been one of the most buzzworthy names out there when it comes to which players may be on the trading block as the deadline nears.

Baltimore is in the middle of a youth movement and it’s unclear if Mancini is a part of the short-term future for the Orioles. However, he could well fit the needs of the Braves as the postseason push heats up.