5 Potential Trade Targets for the Atlanta Braves

The MLB trade deadline is July 30. The Atlanta Braves aren’t the team they were a year ago, but they’re still in the running for another World Series title.

Names are already starting to circulate in trade rumors and proposals. Let’s take a look at five of those potential options for the Braves as the deadline approaches.

SP Jack Flaherty – The Detroit Tigers

It never hurts to add another arm to the rotation. The top four arms in the rotation have a combined 2.83 GAA, but that fifth spot has been a bit of a problem.

Tigers starter Jack Flaherty has been one of the names recently brought up in discussions about the Braves’ trade deadline moves.

“You go to the Braves and you say, ‘What do you want for Jack Flaherty?'” Foul Territory host Erik Kratz said when discussing which Tigers pitchers should be on the move.

Kratz suggested the Braves get Flaherty before any other team.

In 15 starts this season, Flaherty has a 3.24 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. The Braves would have a fourth or fifth starter, depending on whether you put him ahead of Morton, who is a second-in-the-rotation starter. Flaherty has suffered a setback with his recent back injury and could be bought at a lower price if someone is willing to gamble.

Given that he’s on a one-year deal, Flaherty would be a rental player for the Braves. That could mean the Braves wouldn’t have to make as many concessions if they were to trade for an arm with more control.

OF Randy Arozarena – The Tampa Bay Rays

The Braves should look to bolster their outfield with Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the season. Kelenic has been healthy, but options beyond Duvall and Harris are quickly dwindling. Randy Arozarenawhich has been recently suggested as acquisition by the Braves.

Arozarena’s number for the season might suggest this move is based solely on reputation, but his recent streak might suggest otherwise.

After struggling through the first two months of the season, Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena is starting to get back to his old self.

Over his last 14 games, Arozarena has hit .319 with a 1.015 OPS. He has only had two hitless attempts in that span.

Arozarena still has two years of club control after this season, making him a long-term solution to the Braves’ roster woes. The Braves may have to give up more players, but it would be worth the price to acquire an impact hitter given the thin outfield depth this year.

SP Zach Eflin – The Tampa Bay Rays

By staying with the Rays, Tampa’s de facto No. 1 starter could be available at the trade deadline.

Zach Eflin was first connected More than a month ago, USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale suggested that Eflin would be a target for the Braves. In recent days, Eflin has again been floated as a target for the Braves.

“If the Rays decide to trade him, there’s a lot to like about Eflin, starting with 63 strikeouts and just six walks in 81 1/3 innings, the second-best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the major leagues,” David O’Brien said. wrote in The Athletic.

However, Eflin’s contract could be what’s holding up a deal.

“If I were the Braves, as much as I would like to add Eflin to the rotation, I don’t like the $18 million salary in 2025 because of the financial exposure already projected for the rest of my roster,” former MLB general manager and columnist Jim Bowden said in response to O’Brien’s proposal.

It might be different if he were just a rental, but that extra year has to be factored in. Eflin has a 3.92 ERA this season. What the Braves also have to factor in is that Eflin has a 2.43 ERA at home and a 5.01 ERA everywhere else. The only reason that’s not totally concerning is that it’s not Rays-specific. It’s been a similar trend in Philadelphia. He just really likes the comfort of his home crowd.

OF Taylor Quarter – The Angels of Los Angeles

Another potential on-field target that has been suggested is the Angels. Taylor QuarterThe 30-year-old hit a slump in early June but has picked up the pace in his 10 games, posting a .306 batting average and a .988 OPS over that span.

Like Arozarena, adding Ward would add some much-needed power to the lineup. He’s a 20-plus homer who’s having his best defensive season yet — as if he could finish with a positive dWAR for the first time.

Ward’s proposal included sending their No. 5 prospect, J.R. Ritchie, to Anaheim. It would be a big payday, but Ward also still has a lot of control over the club — he won’t be a free agent until 2027.

So at least they wouldn’t be parting with a top prospect for a rental player if they went that route. Ritchie is coming back from Tommy John surgery and is expected to go to the Augusta GreenJackets this weekend.

OF Miguel Andujar – Oakland A’s

The former Yankees rookie phenom made an immediate impact for the Oakland A’s this season. The Braves on SI recently reported on his connection to the Braves.

Andujar is having his best season since 2018, when he finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Shohei Ohtani. In 32 games, Andujar is batting .305 with an OPS+ of 114.

The difference between Andujar and other proposed acquisitions like Arozarena and Ward is that he wouldn’t bring much power (.398 slugging). However, he could fit in nicely as a quality contact hitter in the lineup.

Andujar would have a year of control after this season as well and that would be a good deal. He’s making $1.7 million this season.

If the Braves want to sign a player who is having the best season of his career without having to make a splash, Andujar could be the guy they need.

What should the Braves’ priorities be?

While you can never have too many quality starting pitchers, there’s a reason so many trade proposals require the acquisition of an outfield hitter. There’s a shortage of hitters, and it’s reflected in the Braves’ total offensive numbers this season.

Think about it from a playoff perspective. Typically, you play with three starters, and sometimes you bring in a fourth guy to pitch a game. Meanwhile, the Braves are going to need nine guys in the lineup to contribute day in and day out.

The Braves can choose to strengthen what has kept them afloat this season, or they can strengthen their biggest weakness.

Whichever company they finalize before 4pm ET on July 30th, this is something to keep in mind.