ATLANTA -- It’s easy to say the Braves should be sellers before the July 31 Trade Deadline. But it’s hard to see any of their available players drawing a significant return.
The Braves (39-47) fell eight games under .500 with a 5-1 loss to the Angels on Thursday. They are seven games back in the Wild Card hunt with 76 games remaining.
“Nobody wants to hear [sellers],” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. “We’re in here competing every day. We still have the playoffs on our mind. I understand there’s going to be some outside noise when you have a record like we do. But we feel like we have a good unit in here. We’re just not playing as well as we need to.”
But now to the bad news. The Braves' anemic offense would have been shut out for the fourth time in seven games had Jurickson Profar not homered with one out in the ninth inning on Thursday night.
Profar has homered in both of his first two games since serving his 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension. He can help the offense. But a greater concern is the fact that recent injuries to Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach have left the rotation with just two dependable starters -- Spencer Strider and Grant Holmes.
Hopes of winning a series for the first time in two weeks faded as Bryce Elder allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings on Thursday. Elder has a 12.60 ERA over his past four starts and he’s currently the No. 3 starter by default. Can the Braves fix the injury-depleted rotation?
Well, they have been rolling the dice with 20-year-old Didier Fuentes, who has allowed 12 earned runs through his first 12 innings (three starts). And because they seemingly don’t think any of their other Minor League pitchers are ready, Brian Snitker said he’s leaning toward using a bullpen game against the Orioles on Saturday.
It would take a miracle for the Braves to turn things around like they did in 2021, when they won the World Series after carrying a losing record into August. So, assuming they are still out of contention in four weeks, here is who they should look to trade -- even if the returns are simply aimed at adding bats and gloves to a farm system barren of position player talent.
1. Marcell Ozuna
The Big Bear, who is in the final year of his contract, was one of baseball’s best hitters the past two seasons, but he has been one of the game’s least productive players over the past month. He ranks 178th out of 189 qualified players with a .543 OPS since June 1. The return might not be great, but there could still be some teams willing to gamble on Ozuna, like the Braves gambled on Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario in 2021.
Will the right hip issue Ozuna previously battled be an issue? Snitker and Ozuna have repeatedly said the hip is fine. And though the production creates reason to be skeptical, he hasn’t shown any signs of hesitancy when running the bases.
2. Ozzie Albies
Remember when everybody said the Braves got a steal when Albies signed a seven-year $35 million deal in April 2019 that includes $7 million options for the 2026 and ‘27 seasons. Well, even with a $4 million buyout, there’s strong reason to argue the option shouldn’t be exercised next year. Albies’ .613 OPS ranks 151th out of 157 qualified players this season and he ranks 35th out of 46 qualified second basemen with a minus-one outs above average.
If medical personnel are confident Albies’ offensive struggles are a lingering effect of last year’s left wrist injury and next year will be different, then there might be reason to exercise the option. But if not, why not try to get something for him now?
3. Raisel Iglesias and Pierce Johnson
Iglesias struggled through the first couple months, but with another scoreless inning on Thursday, he has made nine straight scoreless appearances (7 2/3 innings). His track record will draw some attention. But if the Braves try to deal Iglesias and Johnson, they’ll likely be reminded there’s usually not a significant return for a two-month rental of a reliever.
There’s also been scuttlebutt about whether the Braves should trade Sean Murphy if Drake Baldwin will be the everyday catcher next year. But given Atlanta has the pieces to win next year and beyond, there’s seemingly greater value in keeping Murphy to possibly alternate between catching and designated hitter roles with Baldwin next year.