Four Braves players that must be traded before the 2024 deadline

If the Braves are to make substantial moves before the trade deadline, they will need to trade some young guns.

With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching as June winds down, the Atlanta Braves are one of the few clubs that will consider making moves to enhance their squad as they strive to make the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

As of this writing, the Braves are not in their customary position at this stage in the season, as they have in previous seasons. They are second in the National League East, trailing only the Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the division by eight games. However, Atlanta leads the National League’s first Wild Card berth by 4.5 games, 43-33.

Despite how terrible the National League has been this season, the Braves have the fourth-best record on that side of the league, making them challengers. According to FanGraphs, they now have a projected record of 91.2-70.8 and a 94.4 percent chance of making the playoffs, ranking seventh in the league. So, despite all of the Braves’ poor luck this season, including multiple season-ending injuries to some of its top stars, this squad remains focused on the postseason. However, in order to advance and flourish at that level, they must first become buyers, which requires trading off important prospect pieces.

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has been uniquely aggressive before MLB Trade Deadline

Since joining the Braves in 2017, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has significantly reshaped the organization. However, Anthopoulos and the Braves have done it in their own distinctive style, primarily through team-friendly transactions and homegrown talent, with a few notable trades. To far, this has resulted in six consecutive East Division titles and one World Series championship.

Anthopoulos’ trade for four outfielders to replace Ronald Acuña Jr., who was injured in 2021, resulted in the World Series title. In 2024, the situation appears to be identical, with Acuña suffering another ACL damage. However, this time, standout pitcher Spencer Strider is also out for the season. So, how will Anthopoulos approach this year’s trade deadline?

The Braves are no strangers to MLB trade deadline magic

As previously said, the Braves have made huge trade deadline moves in previous seasons, allowing them to make franchise-changing additions while losing few future prospects. Atlanta not only produced a miracle out of their four new outfielders in 2021, but also in 1993 (pre-Anthopoulos), when they traded first baseman Fred McGriff to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Vince Moore, RHP Donnie Elliott, and outfielder Melvin Nieves. All three achieved little or no major league success.

The same thing happened when Anthopoulos bought Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, and Jorge Soler in 2021. Except for Pablo Sandoval, an experienced player, the other prospects were Bryce Ball, Alex Jackson, and Kasey Kalich, with only Jackson having any significant major league experience. So, who might Anthopoulos trade away this season.

Braves pitching prospects will be dealt

The Braves have a history of arming their farm system. MLB.com reports that seven of their top ten prospects are right-handed pitchers. Even last year, the Braves’ trades required sending off pitchers. That is likely to remain the case this season.

Last year’s major trades included 11th-ranked prospect Victor Vodnik and 28th-ranked Tanner Gordon. However, the needs were not nearly as pressing last season.

While Spencer Schwellenbach, the Braves’ No. 3 prospect, has begun to emerge and become a valuable complement to the rotation, Atlanta still needs a fifth starter. However, this implies that the squad will once again have to rely on some of its talented players.

The Braves are unlikely to trade AJ Smith-Shawver, their top prospect, Hurston Waldrep, their second-best prospect and last year’s first-round draft pick, or Schwellenbach, but the most of the others could be available.

Cade Kuehler, the Braves’ No. 8 overall prospect, is worth keeping an eye on at 22 years old. In Single-A, he has tossed 50 innings, 44 strikeouts, and 20 walks, with a 2.52 ERA. Darius Vines and Dylan Dodd, the Braves’ Nos. 14 and 15 prospects, are two more pitchers who fans have seen in the majors.

In three games for the Braves this season, Vines has a 7.82 ERA in 12.2 innings pitched, eight strikeouts and four walks. However, he showed some promise last season, with a 3.98 ERA in 5 games (20.1 innings pitched) with 14 strikeouts and 7 walks.

Dodd, 26, hasn’t had as good luck. When he was called up for seven games last season, he had a 7.60 ERA in 34.1 innings pitched, 15 strikeouts and 12 walks, while opponents had a.351 batting average against him. This season in Triple-A, Dodd is 2-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 69.1 innings thrown. Despite their failures, he and Vines have some major league experience, which must be considered here.

There’s also a potential that No. 10 prospect Drue Hackenberg, 22, who was recently promoted to Double-A Mississippi, might be traded. He had a 3.64 ERA at Single-A, striking out 62 in 59.1 innings.