The trade deadline is quickly coming, and Atlanta is anticipated to be active throughout it.
We are now less than a week away from the MLB trade deadline, and every move the Atlanta Braves make in the next days is critical. Atlanta has not responded well to the injuries they have sustained in 2024, and they have paid the consequences.
The Braves continue to fall behind in the National League East, and their advantage for the top National League Wild Card slot is dwindling. This trade deadline might make or break the Braves’ chances of postseason success in 2024. The Braves should keep two guys and trade two to acquire the help they need.
2 to keep, 2 to trade- 4. Eddie Rosario (keep)
In 2021, Eddie Rosario was a postseason hero for the Atlanta Braves and a major contributor to the team’s World Series victory. After hitting.183 in 67 games, Rosario was released by the Nationals and signed with the Braves.
Rosario will become a free agent once again at the end of the 2024 season. Because the Braves will not have control of his contract after this year, he would be an ideal trade candidate. However, the Braves should retain him.
Eddie Rosario just seems to be comfortable in Atlanta. While his average is still down, he has blasted two homers in just 11 games since his return to the Braves. For the Braves to make a postseason run in 2024, Eddie Rosario needs to be with Atlanta and turn back the clocks to 2021.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 3. Bryce Elder (trade)
It is time the Atlanta Braves move on from the Bryce Elder experiment. Besides the first part of the 2023 season, Elder has been a subpar starting pitcher. Over the last three years, he has constantly been called up and sent down.
So far in 2024, Elder is 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in the majors. Although those aren’t appealing stats, his previous accomplishment may make him marketable to other teams. The Braves have enough pitching in the majors and farm system to handle Elder’s departure.
Elder has enough potential that at the trade deadline, some teams would be willing to take a chance on a 25-year-old starter with an All-Star appearance. If Atlanta could acquire a veteran outfielder with some power, such as Cubs Cody Bellinger, in exchange for Elder, the trade would be worthwhile.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 2. Adam Duvall (keep)
Adam Duvall, who is hitting.183 with 8 home runs and 26 runs batted in through 79 games this season, has had plenty of time to show that he belongs on the Atlanta Braves roster, but he has yet to do so convincingly. There are a couple of reasons why Duvall should stay in Atlanta.
Duvall, like Rosario, was a part of the Braves’ miraculous 2021 season, when they won the World Series despite a slew of injuries. It would be unfair to compare the 2021 Braves to this year’s team, but Duvall can provide leadership and guidance in this uphill effort.
Oddly enough, the Braves are struggling to score runs. Atlanta needs to hold on to any piece that has the smallest potential to create any offense. Even if Duvall has not done much of that thus far, considering his history, he could be an excellent right-handed bat to come off the bench if Atlanta finds someone at the trade deadline to take over a starting outfield role. Keeping Duvall may appear to be a bad idea, but there will be few teams interested in him.
2 to trade, 2 to keep- 1. A.J. Minter (trade)
This was not what anyone expected, but the 2024 Atlanta Braves just need to focus on offense at the trade deadline. Overall, Atlanta’s pitching staff ranks third in Major League Baseball.
A.J. Minter has been a key member of the Atlanta Braves bullpen for many years. As the old saying goes, everything good must come to an end. 2024 may be the time for Minter to move on to new endeavors.
ICYMI last night AJ Minter accomplished something not done by a Braves pitcher almost two decades ago. My latest with @HouseHankBuilt https://t.co/kZyLkNwQyO
— Steven Teal (@realteal09) July 10, 2024
A left-handed power arm that has experience in high-leverage circumstances (including closing games) may bring a substantial return back to Atlanta. Minter is slated to become a free agency at season’s end and there is a sense of uncertainty that he and the Braves would come to an extension agreement.
The Braves and White Sox seem to have a nice chemistry with each other when it comes to making trades. A.J. Minter to the White Sox in exchange for Tommy Pham may be a good deal for both teams.
Trades are a complicated business, and the Braves face a difficult situation in 2024. The season appears to be hopeless, but there is also potential for a comeback at any moment. These decisions may make or break a club, therefore it will be intriguing to observe what Alex Anthopoulos and his colleagues do.
