The Braves will be quite busy leading up to the MLB trade deadline this year. With Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider out for the season, the team has a lot of holes to fill, and Alex Anthopoulos is always looking to buy.
For the Braves, the blueprint for 2021 is available. Even though the team’s roster wasn’t as strong as it is now, three important outfield additions—Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario—helped them win the World Series despite losing Acuña for the whole season.
Since none of the three were young players with expiring contracts that offered nothing in the way of potential capital, it is likely that Alex Anthopoulos will be searching for a comparable opportunity this time around. He might, however, be considering far bigger options, as a few of the White Sox’s best players seem to be up for grabs.
In his most recent article for ESPN, Jeff Passan claims that the worst baseball team is accepting applications. “Though outfielder Tommy Pham may be the most certain player to be dealt, the South Side does not have any sacred cows.”
Tommy Pham is among the talents the Braves had in mind for 2021. With a history of success in the postseason—he even helped the Diamondbacks win the World Series last year—he is a seasoned player signed to a one-year contract. There is, however, one significant distinction: Pham’s disposition might not exactly mesh in Atlanta. He is a combative individual who has previously engaged in two public spats with former Braves players, William Contreras and Joc Pederson. In the clubhouse, I’m not sure, but on the field, it makes sense.
Tommy Pham may not be as interesting to Alex Anthopoulos as other White Sox players like Erick Fredde and Michael Kopech, but that isn’t the point of this. This concerns the finest of the best. Arguably the weakest team in baseball, the White Sox are willing to offload anyone, including young players with manageable contracts. a description that particularly applies to Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr.
According to Passan, “Yes, the White Sox are willing to deal center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who is signed through 2027 and is expected to return this week from a hip injury.”
Robert not only made his way back into the White Sox starting lineup Friday night, but he also smacked a home run in his first game back. Robert is among the top players in the game in terms of talent. He is a genuine five-tool player with versatility. He has only been hindered by his injuries. Robert has struggled with injuries early in the season and has only managed to play in 100 games once in the previous four seasons, which was last year.
But given his contract, that’s a risk that all general managers ought to be prepared to accept. Luis Robert Jr. has two club options totaling $20 million each in 2026 and 2027, in addition to his $12.5 million this year and $15 million the next year.
If he can maintain his health, that is insignificant for a player of his caliber, then the Braves outfield’s future is in jeopardy. Uncertainty surrounds whether Jarred Kelenic is the missing piece, while Ronald Acuña Jr.’s future following another ruptured ACL remains to be seen. Prospect-wise, Luis Robert Jr. would be extremely expensive, but he would breathe new vitality into the Atlanta lineup and clubhouse.
But according to Passan, Robert isn’t even the finest player the White Sox intend to make available.
The White Sox are willing to sell left-hander Garrett Crochet, who is a free agency following the 2026 campaign and whose transition from the bullpen to the starting lineup has been one of the biggest success stories of the early season. That is perhaps the most notable move. What they seek in return won’t be low, particularly for the 24-year-old Crochet, but as the White Sox’s rebuild kicks into gear, don’t underestimate the willingness of new general manager Chris Getz to tear down even more than he already has.”
Though I’m not convinced the Braves have enough prospect capital remaining to make a trade for Garrett Crochet, Alex Anthopoulos will probably ask about the cost. One of the top young left-handed pitchers in baseball is Crochet. With a 2.87 FIP, 2.48 xFIP, 3.49 ERA, and a strikeout percentage of nearly 34% against hitters, he is having success.
The 26-year-old, who is signed until the 2026 campaign, was selected in the first round by the team in 2020. The Braves should consider their starting staff both now and in the future, even though the asking price is going to be quite high. In addition to providing Atlanta with the top rotation in baseball, Garret Crochet would be a far more cost-effective long-term option than Max Fried.
Leave a Reply