The Braves have a crucial trade deadline coming up.
The Atlanta Braves have a crucial MLB trade deadline coming up. Of course, the deadline is important for most teams around the league. However, this year's trade deadline could realistically determine how well the Braves perform during the postseason.
So, why is this specific trade deadline so important for the Braves? Well, there are a number of reasons. The fact that they play in the National League stands out, though.
Braves Have to Think About Division, Postseason
The Braves lead the National League East standings by a few games over the Philadelphia Phillies at the moment.. Winning the division is the goal. They would love to skip the Wild Card round of the postseason, but that will be a challenge with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers leading the way in the NL.
Speaking of the Dodgers, every contender in the NL understands that they will likely have to defeat them at some point if they want to reach the World Series.
The Braves have to think about holding off the Phillies in the NL East while also preparing to play the Dodgers in a potential playoff series. So, why is the trade deadline so important for those goals?
Chris Sale is the Braves' ace, but the rest of the rotation has some uncertainty. Acquiring another reliable starter should be the goal. No, the Braves do not have to bring in Tarik Skubal, but they should look to acquire a starting pitcher who can start a game in a postseason series.
Potential Starting Pitching Trade Candidates
Perhaps Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins will be an option. The San Francisco Giants' Robbie Ray is also a trade candidate. Regardless of who the pitcher is, bringing in one more starter seems like a necessity.
Upgrading the bullpen also would not be a bad idea, and bringing in at least one more bat would help matters. However, the starting rotation is what must be addressed before the MLB trade deadline.
The Dodgers could not make a single trade and still be the favorite to win the World Series in the NL. The Phillies and Brewers could use help, but the Braves are the team that can make or break their World Series chances before the trade deadline.
They will certainly be a ball club worth closely monitoring over the next couple of weeks. The MLB trade deadline is scheduled for August 3rd.
