8 dream Atlanta Braves 2024 offseason trade targets
The Atlanta Braves should be an active team heading into the offseason after once again being ousted from the postseason by the Philadelphia Phillies
The Atlanta Braves clearly need to make moves this offseason to fix the rotation and the outfield. While they still have arguably the best regular season lineup in the league, the Phillies have exposed these holes each of the past two seasons.
The last time Atlanta kept getting bested by the same team (Los Angeles Dodgers), it was aggressive trade moves that finally pushed them over the top. Atlanta's front office added Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, and Joc Pederson in an unbelievable haul.
Atlanta's trades played out perfectly in each round of the playoffs and ended with a 2021 World Series title. Perhaps this offseason the Braves might look to make a move with a similar impact long before the deadline. Looking around the league, obvious fits stand out for a team badly in need of an offseason boost.
With Eddie Rosario leaving and questions about Orlando Arcia, the team could look to make a splashy addition at either position. There is also the possibility that the team looks to add to the back end of the rotation despite the return of Charlie Morton. No question, this offseason is pivotal for this version of the Atlanta Braves and could set the stage for the team's second title in the last four seasons.
Here are eight players who could be dream additions for the Atlanta Braves this offseason
1. Juan Soto
First let's address the obvious issues with this trade — the salary, a Scott Boras client, and a household name hitting the trade market. All of this adds up to the Braves spending a hefty price for what very well could be a one-year rental. It isn't the way this front office has done business or the type of deal that got their team their last title.
However, looking at why this deal makes sense is simple — adding Juan Soto gives the Braves the best outfield in baseball. There is zero question that having this trio of outfielders along with Marcell Ozuna at DH gives the Braves not only the best outfield, but unquestionably the best lineup.
Soto drove in 109 runs, scored 97 runs, and hit 35 homers last season. This is the type of production you would be adding to a lineup already anchored by Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson. Can you imagine having to face this top four every night? And if you manage to get past them, you get to deal with Ozzie Albies, Ozuna, Michael Harris, and Sean Murphy.
It is a dream trade for Braves fans but one that is fun to imagine, and unquestionably pushes Atlanta ahead of Philly in the offseason.
2. Mike Trout
The Atlanta Braves have done incredibly well at locking up their young stars and conserving payroll. Bringing in a player with a no-trade clause with around $250 million remaining on his deal is unlikely. However, if there was ever a player you consider making this move for, it is Mike Trout. Injuries have slowed Trout over the past seasons, making it easy to forget just how great the Angels outfielder has been.
Trout's production has gone in the wrong direction due to injuries. Still, the veteran is a career .301 hitter with 368 career homers, including a 40-homer season in 2022. Trout is still young for today's game and should have plenty of great seasons ahead of him.
If there is anything that could get Trout to waive his no-trade clause, it is joining a lineup like the Atlanta Braves have. Trout makes this a complete team and, just like Soto, gives them the best unit in the game.
Bringing this back down to earth, Trout would not only have to approve the trade but the Braves would have to be willing to take on the money, not yet having locked up Max Fried or having found a long-term answer at shortstop.
3. Max Kepler
When looking at trade options that fit the Atlanta Braves front office, Kepler stands out. There isn't anything about Kepler's numbers that jumps out. However, Kepler was quietly great for a team now looking to shed payroll. If the Braves traded for Kepler, they could look to bring in a lefty option like a Joc Pederson or Jason Heyward to give them a complete outfield.
Kepler has above-average power and is a clear upgrade over Eddie Rosario or Kevin Pillar. Atlanta's priority is clearly going to be an outfielder to pair with their stars in center and left field. While Kepler isn't going to turn a lot of heads, his numbers would jump in this lineup and clearly make Atlanta much better.
The great thing about this move, unlike the first two, is it leaves Atlanta plenty of salary room to still look at fixing the back end of the rotation and making a move at the shortstop position. Arcia was a liability in the postseason, leaving room to wonder if that could be a priority over left field.
4. Dylan Cease
Despite picking up Morton's option, I believe the Braves remain active in the starting pitching market. Whether it is signing a player like Sonny Gray or Aaron Nola, or looking at the trade market, the need for another postseason arm is obvious. Cease is coming off of a bad season by his standards and could be traded from a roster that needs to start over. The White Sox were the biggest mess of the 2023 season and clearly need to blow it all up and rebuild.
An Atlanta Braves rotation with Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Dylan Cease, Charlie Morton, and Bryce Elder boosts Atlanta's postseason chances. Yes, Cease wasn't the player he was expected to be last season. This will likely drive his trade price down and sets up a likely rebound with a capable team such as Atlanta.
Having a legitimate top three in your rotation leaves the Braves feeling better about their postseason chances, even if they failed to upgrade the left field or shortstop position. It is the type of splashy move that this team needs to get past Philly and take the pressure off of a lineup that has disappeared each of the last two postseasons.
5. Corbin Burnes
The same reasoning applies here as with Cease as to why Atlanta should be interested in adding another top starter. Burnes is on the last year of his deal and the Brewers clearly need to make a change after their quick playoff exit. This version of the Brewers is just good enough to make it to the postseason, and then is back home sitting on their couch very quickly into October. It wouldn't be at all surprising to see the team shake things up and trading Burnes would be the first step.
Burnes may not be the most consistent pitcher, but putting him as the second or third arm in this rotation takes the pressure off and gives him the most offensive support of his career. Burnes to Atlanta can be filed with the rest of these moves as unlikely, despite the clear fit.
6. Manuel Margot
The Tampa Bay outfield is crowded and Margot is entering the final year of his contract. Margot isn't a name that is going to grab a lot of headlines, but he is perfect for this Braves team. Bring in the veteran outfielder as well as a second platoon option and go for depth over one big splashy move.
7. Lane Thomas
Atlanta Braves fans are well aware of just how great Thomas was against Atlanta this past season. With Washington still far from competing in the NL East, could they part ways with the outfielder? While Thomas might not offer the numbers of a Trout or a Soto, he is still a perfect fit for this Braves offense and a huge upgrade over what the team had last season. While a trade in the division is unlikely, the Braves should at least pick up the phone and check in on one of the most underrated players of the 2023 season.
8. Tyler Glasnow
Another Tampa Bay Ray that the team is unlikely to extend and will look to cash in. The Braves adding Glasnow is a long shot but, just like Burnes or Cease, it pushes them over the top come postseason time. Charlie Morton is entering his age-40 season. As great as the veteran has been at defying Father Time, you need a third option you know you can count on when it matters most. Glasnow gives you just that.
feed