In what ended up being a rather dull MLB Trade Deadline with little to no monumental moves being made, the Atlanta Braves may be at the forefront of that, doing very little to bolster their playoff chances.
Is this 2021? That's what Braves fans have to be hoping for at this point in the season. Though things are similar to that season, they're also not even close. Yes, Ronald Acuna Jr. is out with an ACL injury, this time to his other knee. Also, they're behind in the National League East. In 2021, they were actually in third place. This season, they're in second behind the Philadelphia Phillies by 6.5 games, sitting at 58-49, six games better than three years ago. They also have just a one-game lead for the top Wild Card spot, as of this writing.
The similarities are that the roster is starting to resemble that of the 2021 squad. Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos knows what he likes, apparently, and is sticking with it. Just before the deadline came to a close, the Braves chose familiarity, trading with the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Jorge Soler and right-handed reliever Luke Jackson.
Both were pivotal members of the roster in 2021 that helped Atlanta win their first World Series since 1995. If not for sending off Tyler Matzek to the Giants, you would think Anthopoulos is trying to recreate that same magic in 2021, though with no new tricks it seems.
Remember, even before those trades, Atlanta picked up Eddie Rosario, the NLCS MVP in 2021, after the Washington Nationals designated him for assignment. And just before the season started, they signed Adam Duvall, who was one of the big four acquisitions at that year's deadline.
No one seems to find more diamonds in the rough than Anthopoulos. But at this point, it almost seems comical and patronizing to Braves fans, appealing to their desires as they hope to have the same result come this season like in the past. It could also be because there's little else Anthopoulos could afford, due to little to offer.
The Braves have just the 18th ranked overall pipeline, with four of the top 100 prospects, according to FanGraphs' recently updated rankings. However, with the plethora of injuries they've sustained this season, they've needed a lot of farm guys to come in to help cover for players' absences, which most likely handcuffed Anthopoulos even more when searching the market.
Speaking of the farm, now that the deadline is officially behind us, the Braves will still be tinkering with the roster over the next couple of months as they await a bunch of their guys to heal up.
Keep the middle infield how it is… for now
It's clear that Nacho Alvarez wasn't ready for big league pitching quite yet. The 21-year-old couldn't quite muster enough production in his eight games. In his 32 plate appearances, Alvarez had just three hits and 10 strikeouts, batting .100. Considering the Braves' situation this season, no one is faulting anybody for this move, though unless matters get worse, he should stay down in the minors for the remainder of the season.
That means that Whit Merrifield is going to be the lone option at second base until Ozzie Albies gets back from his wrist fracture. That also means that Orlando Arcia will be staying at short. The good thing is, he's on a 10-game hitting streak, batting .364 with two homers currently.
Luke Williams gets sent down once Michael Harris II is ready
Luke Williams was called up just about a month ago when Brian Anderson went on the injured list. In that time, he's played in just 13 games with 12 at-bats, hitting .083. His stay likely won't be much longer now that Michael Harris II is aiming to return in August from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, according to the AJC.
With the addition of Soler, the outfield will probably look something like the former Giant, Harris, and Kelenic, when all are good and healthy. Soler could always get a DH spot now and then, but the Braves probably don't want to take too many at-bats away from Marcell Ozuna, who is having one of his best seasons at the plate. And the chances they put Ozuna in the field are slim to none.
Max Fried's return ends Grant Holmes' story
If all things go well, Max Fried should be returning from his left forearm neuritis issue that placed him on the injured list back on July 21. That means the Braves will have to make a roster spot for him.
Some may argue that would have rookie Spencer Schwellenbach sent back down to the minors, but as solid as the 24-year-old has looked as of late, he's probably not going anywhere, especially seeing as he's the fifth starter. That means it will come at the expense of a bullpen arm, in this case, likely Grant Holmes.
Holmes has been quite the story for Atlanta this season, someone that everyone is pulling for after his long journey to get to the majors. His booting wouldn't come from his bad performances. In 11 games and 28.1 innings pitched, he's struck out 29 with a 2.54 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. If he is sent down, there's a good chance he's recalled once rosters expand in September.
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