The Braves started the second half beating the Rangers 15-1. This is their second high scoring game of the season and they extended their NL East lead over the Phillies back to three games.
Atlanta’s lineup bounced back this month after being easily the worst team in the league in June. They finished dead in runs, homers, and in all three slash categories. It’s been a strange few weeks for the club that was second in scoring (behind only the Nationals) at the end of May.
While they seem to be back on track, that poor look last month could have an impact on the front office deadline. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Atlanta’s early focus has been more on the cornerback than the offense. That doesn’t mean the Braves won’t add a starter, but Rosenthal suggests they’ll take the next few weeks to evaluate their internal backfield options. Chris Sale while monitoring the progression of the injury Spencer Strider again Spencer Schwellenbach.
The Braves will get an offensive boost there Ronald Acuña Jr. he is coming back from the left skin that has been eating for five weeks. Captain Walt Weiss told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman this afternoon that the five-year All-Star, on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett, could return as early as next week.
Although Acuña has not played at his usual level this season, it is clear that he will return to an everyday righty role. Atlanta doesn’t have either Mike Yastrzemski, Ha-Seong Kim again Sean Murphy – none of them have contributed much this season. Yastrzemski shouldn’t need much time to recover from elbow inflammation. Kim is dealing with swelling on her right middle finger that was surgically repaired, while Murphy has been sidelined since May with a broken finger.
Yastrzemski has a slugging line of .230/.321/.365 in 262 plate appearances. You need a partner who gives you the right hand even if you are going well. Mauricio Dubón he was a left fielder every day in his absence. Jim Jarvis again Jorge Mateo they split the shortstop job with Kim sidelined. They’re probably reluctant to give that status back to Kim no matter what, as he hit .068 with no extra knocks in 27 games between IL stints.
The Braves could look outside the organization for help in left field or shortstop. Dominic Smith at-bat has continued over the past two months, meaning Yastrzesmki could take some hitter reps if he gets an outfielder. Dubón can handle the regular shortstop role, as he did earlier in the season, but he is more valuable as a multi-position player.
That would include playing time at third base, there Austin Riley struggled all season. He is hitting .210/.290/.339 for a 29% strikeout rate in 390 plate appearances. Riley still has more bat speed, but he’s chasing more often and not hitting balls anywhere near his normal level. He also struggled late last year when he suffered an injury that required season-ending surgery.
Riley is signed through 2032 to what is already an underwater contract. It is unlikely that the Braves will trade the third baseman for something big (eg Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette). They can ask someone like Houston Isaac Paredes or San Francisco Casey Schmittboth of whom can play third base while pitching at other positions. There aren’t many obvious candidates for shortcut trading. Atlanta can ask the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe or try to find a multi-position brand like in Minnesota Brooks Lee or Texas’ Ezekiel Duran.Any of those teams may need MLB bullpen help to consider a trade when they are all in the AL playoff picture.
