The Atlanta Braves entered today’s MLB game in the National League playoff zone with a 54-46 record despite injury issues.
Atlanta will be without ace starting pitcher Spencer Strider and star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. for the remainder of the season, which certainly impacts the team’s position as a potential World Series contender.
How will these issues impact Atlanta’s plans ahead of next week’s MLB trade deadline? That’s an open question. But there are certainly some needs here.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently reported that the Braves are “interested in making additions, but not all, of them” ahead of next Thursday’s deadline, and that Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas is a potential target for Atlanta’s front office.
RELATED: Prominent MLB source reports the Atlanta Braves are looking to acquire the four-time All-Star to replace Ronald Acuña Jr.
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
With Acuña Jr. out for the season, the Braves are naturally interested in strengthening their outfield. The 28-year-old Thomas could fill that void nicely. He had a solid .783 OPS last season with 28 homers and 86 RBI. He remains under team control beyond the 2024 season.
The problem for Atlanta here is their weakened farm system and attempts to negotiate trade deals with division rivals. Those talks are difficult.
Atlanta Braves record: 54-45, 8.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies
Does it make sense to go further into a weak farm system to compete for a wild-card spot? That’s a question Braves president Alex Anthopoulos and his team will have to answer soon.