Braves Eye All-Star Shortstop as Trade Deadline Nears
With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the Braves are poised to be active buyers, aiming for a trade bounty reminiscent of their 2021 haul that propelled them to the World Series.
At this point, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is primarily focused on upgrading the outfield. There’s also a chance he might bolster the pitching staff, given the affordability of relievers and uncertainties surrounding the future rotation.
One area in dire need of improvement is shortstop. While Orlando Arcia might bounce back in the latter half of the season, he’s not a reliable option for the postseason, which is the Braves’ ultimate goal.
This article continues a series where individual trade targets suggested by CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson are examined, focusing on top shortstop prospects available. Previous articles in the series covered:
– Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
– Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
The Blue Jays, like the Tigers, may not be inclined to sell, and parting with Bo Bichette would require a compelling offer. Nevertheless, the Braves could be potential contenders.
Bichette, 26, has demonstrated solid defensive skills and above-average offensive performance for a shortstop. Despite his struggles this season, with a .619 OPS and a .231 batting average, his career average OPS exceeds .800. He has amassed 14.4 WAR over three seasons from 2021 to 2023, consistently finishing in the top 16 of the AL MVP race each year.
If a trade materializes, Bichette would secure the shortstop position for this season and next, as he remains under team control through 2025. This could align perfectly with the Braves’ plans.
Currently, their shortstop of the future, Nacho Alvarez, is excelling in Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez could continue developing in the minors while awaiting his opportunity or be used as trade leverage to acquire and potentially extend Bichette, a strategy Anthopoulos has employed before.
A change of scenery might benefit Bo Bichette, and the Braves have a history of rejuvenating struggling players.
