ESPN analyst reveals which position Braves are 'more likely' to trade for

ESPN analyst reveals which position Braves are ‘more likely’ to trade for originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves are one of the best teams in Major League Baseball, and if it weren’t for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they’d surely be the top World Series contender this season.

Given how well this team has performed, it’s hard to imagine they could get any better. But this club does have a few needs worth exploring by the trade deadline. Outfield, shortstop, and potentially even a new designated hitter are worth keeping tabs on.

However, ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle revealed that there’s a different position for which the Braves are “more likely” to trade by the MLB trade deadline this season.

Braves ‘more likely’ to trade for a pitcher than any other position

“The Braves figure to be mentioned frequently if and when the Skubal sweepstakes commence, but shortstop might be the bigger need,” Doolittle writes. “… A rotation addition seems more likely, even if it’s not Skubal.”

While Atlanta might need shortstop help more than they need help in their rotation, thanks to a much shakier market for shortstops, the Braves are more likely to add pitching help this summer.

Adding someone like Houston Astros‘ Jeremy Pena, Washington Nationals‘ CJ Abrams, or San Francisco Giants‘ Willy Adames would be nice, but they aren’t likely trade candidates this season.

MORE: Mets projected to still sell at trade deadline by ex-MLB GM

Instead, the Braves have much greater odds of swinging a deal for a new starting pitcher. Even if Skubal is off the market or isn’t traded to the Braves, there are plenty of other pitchers worth considering.

Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic, Cole Ragans, and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals would all make sense for the Braves, and they all might be available by August 3.

Skubal would be the top prize, but there are plenty of interesting pitchers who would be more likely upgrades for Atlanta than additions elsewhere on the roster by the trade deadline this season.

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