Giants offer Braves some interesting trade options

The San Francisco Giants (49-55) appear to be sellers heading into the MLB trade deadline. For a team like the Atlanta Braves looking for options to bolster their roster, that could mean a potential trade partner.

Two key additions to the team would be an outfield hitter and a starting pitcher, two pieces the Giants have some options to check out.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is reportedly attracting interest as the deadline approaches.

Snell struggled through his first six starts before suffering a left groin injury. He had a 9.51 ERA when he went on the disabled list. But it’s possible that high ERA was entirely due to his injury.

In three starts since his return, Snell has a 1.00 ERA (two earned runs in 18 innings of work).

If his recent performances are truly what Snell could bring, the Braves shouldn’t hesitate to take on his contract — two years, $62 million. The second year is a player option, so he could end up being nothing more than a rental.

The early-season performance and contract situation could provide leverage for the Braves to give up less in a deal than if they had made the move last season – the year he won the NL Cy Young.

Another starting option is free agent Alex Cobb. The 36-year-old right-hander is in the final year of his contract and has yet to pitch this season due to injury. However, according to The Athletic, he is expected to make his debut Sunday. If he returns and is effective from the start, he could prove to be a cheaper rental option for the Braves.

Cobb is making $10 million this year, and the Braves are only expected to pay a portion of that. Give the Giants a quality minor leaguer and that might be enough to bring in Cobb.

In 74 starts over his previous three seasons, Cobb has a respectable 3.74 ERA.

Michael Conforto is a Giants outfielder who has a high chance of being traded. The Braves saw him several times when he was with the New York Mets from 2015-2021. The old foe could become a key addition.

In 80 games this season, Conforto is hitting .226 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs. His average and on-base percentage are both down, but his power stats make up for it (.415 slugging this season compared to .386 slugging in 2022). His OPS+ of 105 is also still better than any outfielder who has played for the Braves this season.

While not a big deal, Conforto could be the right move for the Braves outfield.

Now there’s another Giants outfielder option that could excite fans and has proven to be the right move in the past. That option is 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler.

But his contract will be an obstacle.

He’s in the first year of a three-year, $42 million contract. The only likely way the Braves could trade Soler would be if the Giants retained a significant portion of his contract. One could argue that’s more significant than the amount the Braves are actually giving up in the deal, since it wouldn’t take a top-tier talent to get Soler.

If the Giants are willing to hold onto his salary, the Braves could then set up a reunion with a key name. If the change of scenery helps Soler, then whatever the Braves have to pay could be a good deal on top.