Ken Rosenthal speaks the truth on MLB trade deadline

admin | May 18, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Alex Anthopoulos is seldom a general manager who sits on his hands throughout the season, especially as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

Since becoming the Braves’ general manager, he has made at least one trade each season, and that trend is anticipated to continue this year. The Braves don’t have many holes, but there are always places that can be improved, particularly given how Atlanta’s offense has fared throughout the first two months of the season.

However, the difficulty recently and in the future with the MLB trade deadline is that obtaining quality players has gotten much more difficult due to the enlarged playoff system. More teams believe they have a shot to make the playoffs, and they understand that anything can happen once they do. That results in fewer teams selling and more teams buying, as MLB insider Ken Rosenthal highlighted on the most recent episode of Foul Territory.

The dynamics of the MLB trade deadline have changed with expanded playoffs, says @Ken_Rosenthal

"There will not be as many sellers, perhaps, as there used to be." pic.twitter.com/TOAZGaphqN

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 17, 2024

Braves fans understand that Alex Anthopoulos is all on finding value. When supply is low and demand is high, as it is at the trade deadline, determining value is practically difficult. That is not to suggest it cannot be done; simply look at what the Rangers accomplished last season. It is just infinitely more difficult. I would be surprised if the Braves made any big trades at this year’s MLB trade deadline, and I don’t see it occurring in the near future either.

The enlarged playoffs are a boon to the league’s poor teams. The National League has been an excellent illustration of this. Major League Baseball’s 12-team postseason format has only been in place for two years, and the National League’s bottom seed has twice advanced to the World Series. Why would you give up on the season with two months left if you’re even close to.500 and 85 victories may get you a crack at the Commissioner’s Trophy?