Braves' Top Players to Target and Avoid at 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
The Atlanta Braves probably wouldn't have won a World Series last season without the contributions of NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario and World Series MVP Jorge Soler, two players who were acquired in under-the-radar deals at the trade deadline.
What will general manager Alex Anthopoulos do for an encore?
Bullpen upgrades and a stopgap option at second base until Ozzie Albies returns are the logical pieces to pursue, and there are plenty of players who fit the profile.
Ahead, we've highlighted two players the team should target and taken a quick look at two guys they would be wise to avoid.
Target: IF Brandon Drury, Cincinnati Reds
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With an 84 OPS+ and minus-0.5 WAR in 507 games over seven big league seasons, Brandon Drury was viewed as little more than organizational depth when the Cincinnati Reds signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
He won a spot on the roster with a $700,000 salary, and after going 2-for-4 with a home run on Opening Day, he quickly played his way into an everyday role. Lining up all over the infield, he's hit .278/.336/.528 for a 129 OPS+ with 19 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBI as the best hitter in the Cincinnati lineup.
The Braves could plug him in as the everyday second baseman until Ozzie Albies returns from the injured list, then move him into a utility infield and pinch-hitting role as an oft-used bench piece.
Target: RHP David Robertson
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There are a wide variety of bullpen options who would make sense for the Braves to target as they look to upgrade a relief corps that ranks fifth in the majors with a 3.14 ERA but has dealt with some inconsistency.
Closer Kenley Jansen has allowed six hits and four earned runs in his last six appearances, and with four blown saves and a 3.53 ERA, he has been far from lights out. He also recently made a trip to the injured list with an irregular heartbeat, a condition that he's dealt with throughout his career.
Trading for a proven late-inning reliever capable of stepping into the closer's role if needed makes a ton of sense, and Chicago Cubs right-hander David Robertson fits the bill.
The 37-year-old ranks seventh among active pitchers with 706 career appearances, and he's been terrific in the ninth-inning role this season with 1.93 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 11.6 K/9 and 13 saves in 33 appearances.
Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, he would be a nice right-handed complement to lefty setup men A.J. Minter and Will Smith.
Players to Avoid
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IF Cavan Biggio, Toronto Blue Jays
The emergence of Santiago Espinal and offseason acquisition of Matt Chapman has left Biggio without an everyday role on the Toronto infield, but he's not far removed from racking up 5.0 WAR in 159 games over his first two seasons in the majors. He is a great buy-low target for someone, but all the Braves need is a short-term stopgap at second base, and the fact that Biggio is controllable through 2025 means he'll likely cost more than the value he'd provide.
LHP Gregory Soto, Detroit Tigers
With A.J. Minter, Will Smith and Tyler Matzek all filling key roles in the Atlanta bullpen, it would make sense for them to target a right-handed reliever to provide some balance. Soto has been great for the Detroit Tigers the past two seasons, and it remains to be seen if he'll even be made available, but the Braves should look elsewhere to fill their bullpen need.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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