When it comes to trade discussions in the next nine days, Braves manager Brian Snitker has full faith in his general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, at 4 p.m. July 31, yet the market hasn’t taken shape. In the National League, there are nine teams within 5-1/2 games of a wild card berth. Of the three outside the picture, the Mets and Reds haven’t yet decided to wave the white flag.
Such has complicated the market. There are clear sellers, such as the Tigers, Royals and Marlins, but possible movement on some of the most appealing trade candidates is stalled by uncertainties surrounding those teams’ status, as we see with the Indians and Giants.
“There are so many teams still in this thing,” Snitker said. “I don’t know. It’s a tough job. There are so many clubs within striking distance of wild cards, divisions. I don’t know that they all know who’s going to be available yet.”
The Braves are ripe for a move. They’re the second NL team to 60 wins. They’re the clear class of the division but aren’t yet near the Dodgers’ level. There’s a consensus the Braves need another move, if not two or three, to compete for the pennant.
Snitker, who’s guided the club to its on-field success, trusts Anthopoulos’ judgement. He also understands the factors that make snagging a significant acquisition easier said than done.
“Alex asked all of us (about needs) and we all talked,” he said. “I don’t know that it’s ‘We want this, go out and get it.’ It’s more of what the market is and who’s out there and where you can go more than targeting any one being. He might not be available or the asking price might be more than what you want to give for that particular player.”
The last sentence sums up the Braves’ circumstances. They need pitching upgrades, clearly, but that doesn’t mean value should be disregarded. Striking now could also cost them in winter, when perhaps better fits are available but the team already dipped into its prospect pool in July.
Anthopoulos played it perfectly last year, when he added Brad Brach and Jonny Venters to his bullpen at virtually no cost, then surrendered little — and absorbed Darren O’Day’s salary — to get Kevin Gausman, whose 10 starts down the stretch were immensely valuable.
But this year isn’t under the same umbrella. There are real expectations this time around. Not to mention this Braves team is deeper, more talented and more seasoned than that edition.
Maybe Gausman rebounds and becomes an impact mid-season add for the second consecutive year. But the Braves shouldn't bank on it. There will be ample sellers when July 31 rolls around. If the Braves can match one of their asking prices that day could determine the team's postseason fate.
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