Life has a knack for throwing unexpected curveballs, and the 162-game MLB season is no exception. The Atlanta Braves are experiencing this firsthand in 2024. Initially favored to win the World Series, they now find themselves 7.5 games behind in their division and holding a modest 3.5-game lead in the NL Wild Card race, making a postseason berth far from assured.
With unmet expectations come inevitable scrutiny, especially as the trade deadline approaches. Much debate centers around what the Braves need to secure success in October: a power hitter, bolstered starting pitching, or bullpen reinforcements. However, Alex Anthopoulos would be wise to focus primarily on one key area.
Offensive firepower is Atlanta’s pressing need. The absence of superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., coupled with recent injuries and declining production from key players like Matt Olson, has significantly weakened their offensive output. Despite Jarred Kelenic’s solid leadoff performance, the Braves rank a middling 17th in MLB in runs scored, projecting to tally about 698 runs this season compared to 947 last year.
The outfield and shortstop positions stand out as areas ripe for improvement. While Eddie Rosario’s signing was experimental, struggles from Adam Duvall and Orlando Arcia have been glaring in losses. Potential targets like Cody Bellinger or Bo Bichette could inject much-needed potency, though their availability and cost remain uncertain.
On the pitching front, Atlanta has excelled in 2024, boasting the second-lowest team ERA in MLB at 3.47. Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez have all shone, backed by a solid bullpen. This pitching strength gives Anthopoulos flexibility to pursue offensive upgrades aggressively.
Despite recent signs of offensive revival, including a pivotal win against Arizona, the Braves must prove their consistency. Monday’s victory marked their first against a team scoring three or more runs since mid-April, sparking fan excitement but also heightening expectations for Anthopoulos to make a significant trade deadline move.