Alex Anthopoulos has some big decisions to make. The Atlanta Braves are still very much a playoff team after a frustrating first half for Braves Country’s standards. While the starting pitching has been phenomenal, the batting order has been anything but that. Yes, not having Michael Harris II for well over a month now hurts and so does having Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the season, but make a move!
Chase Irle of Sports Talk ATL put out a list of top prospects in the Braves organization he thinks could be viable trade assets for Anthopoulos to use at the deadline. While he and I may disagree on the Braves’ most important asset, I would much rather move Drake Baldwin over Nacho Alvarez because Baldwin is blocked by Travis d’Arnaud for now in Atlanta, as well as Sean Murphy behind the plate.
I do not want to move Alvarez because he could be a revelation at shortstop. Then again, he could be the next Vaughn Grissom like Irle mentioned, which is totally within the realm of possibility. As far as the three pitchers he mentioned, Owen Murphy is hurt and the overhyped combination of Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver have not exactly impressed me. I would move them, maybe Baldwin?
As long the Braves draft well and develop in the minor leagues, their farm system will never be barren.
Drake Baldwin is trade bait, as he is blocked on his way to the big leagues
Yes, trading away a potential star is never good. I remember Atlanta dealing homegrown prospect from St. Simons in the form of Adam Wainwright to the St. Louis Cardinals for J.D. Drew. That is just the price of doing business sometimes. You are not going to win every trade, but don’t let that make you be afraid of making one. Other times, you may need a spark outside of the so-called Braves Way.
