Why it Makes No Sense for Atlanta Braves to Trade Any Position Players
While there is a need for the Atlanta Braves to address the starting rotation long-term, it should not come at the expense of any of their big-league position players.
There was a lot of talk recently based on an article in The Athletic ($) that hinted at possibly trading some of their position player talent for frontline starting pitching.
While reaction to the article has been a bit overblown, it's understandable why some may believe it's wise to go this route -- especially when you consider Max Fried could be gone after 2024, leaving a gaping hole at the top of the rotation.
But here is why the Atlanta Braves absolutely should not under any circumstances trade their key position players.
The first reason is that you can't plug a hole by creating a hole. If you were to trade Michael Harris II for a young, controllable starting pitcher you'd then create a big hole in center field.
That leads to the second -- and possibly more important -- reason: the Braves have nobody waiting in the wings to take over at any of their position player spots.
Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves have done a fantastic job developing and acquiring talent and then locking them up for this window of contention.
The Braves know who their starting catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, center fielder, and right fielder will be for the next four seasons.
But with that, the farm system has been depleted and there isn't anyone currently pushing to replace those players.
Vaughn Grissom is the only position player in the system that is begging for at-bats at the big league level. Perhaps we see the Braves try to transition him to left field to fill that vacancy for the foreseeable future, or maybe he's traded to try and help boost the rotation.
One might argue you could trade Ozzie Albies and put Grissom at second base, but trading one of the best offensive second basemen in the league who is on the friendliest of team-friendly deals doesn't make a lot of sense.
Some have suggested trading Orlando Arcia and/or Marcell Ozuna.
Neither is going to bring much of a return to provide what the team needs in the starting rotation.
With Ozuna only having one year left he'd have to be traded to a contending team in need of a bat who also has a plethora of arms in the rotation. There aren't many -- if any -- teams that fit that scenario.
And if you trade Arcia you're still left with a hole at shortstop unless the Braves are ready to give the job to Grissom or Nicky Lopez, which is possible.
But still, nobody is giving up much of anything for Arica who had a great first-half of 2023 before sliding back to his career norms in the second half.
Finally, the position player group for the Braves is their strength. They're coming off a historic season offensively. Yes, they failed in a short sample size during the postseason, but the depth and power of this lineup is what makes the Braves one of the favorites going into 2024. There's just no justifiable reason to move any of the young, controllable players in that group.
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