The Braves are expected to be quite active at the trade deadline, but it’s unclear what facet of the roster they’ll be bolstering.
Coming into the season, saying the lineup would need addressing would’ve gotten you laughed at. Now, it’s the most pressing need, but much can change over June and July.
If another Braves starter is to go down, Alex Anthopoulos may be forced to neglect the outfield. With two months left until the trade deadline, nothing is likely to occur anytime soon, but a lot of speculation will occur between now and the beginning of August.
One name the Braves could be keeping an eye on, per MLB insider Jon Heyman, is four-time All-Star George Springer.
“The Jays could dangle George Springer but would need to pay most of his $25M salary. The Braves are a potential fit.”
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the former Astros All-Star and World Series champion could very well find himself on the trade block.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are the team buyers are keeping their eye on at the trade deadline knowing they could move first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., shortstop Bo Bichette, DH Justin Turner, outfielders George Springer and Kevin Kiermaier, closer Jordan Romano and starters Yusei Kikuchi and Chris Bassitt,” writes Nightengale.
Toronto would have to eat a lot of his salary to get any sort of deal done, but it may be a great buy-low opportunity. Springer is struggling with an 80 OPS+, which is 20% below league average.
However, the 34-year-old is coming off a three-year stretch with the Blue Jays in which he posted a 121 OPS+ thanks to 68 home runs, including an All-Star bid in 2022. He’s past his prime offensively, but he’s a plus defender and the Braves could hopefully help him regain some of that magic with the stick.
George Springer is the type of buy-low candidate Alex Anthopoulos has targeted in the past, especially if the Blue Jays eat the majority of his salary. He’s a name fans should definitely be keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches.
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