Braves predicted to make monster trade for $100M Gold Glove winner, former Silver Slugger

The Atlanta Braves are beginning to find their rhythm again after a disappointing July that allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to close the gap in the NL East standings. Atlanta also picked up momentum by winning its recent series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With the MLB trade deadline just a few weeks away, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already indicated the Braves expect to be active in the trade market.

“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I'm not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we're playing the way we are right now, we're going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.

While adding pitching remains a top priority, the Braves could also benefit from acquiring another impact bat for the outfield. Production from the corner outfield spots has been inconsistent throughout the season.

“The Atlanta Braves’ lineup isn’t the long, strong force of nature fans watched and loved in 2023. The left side of the infield’s production, Austin Riley's in particular, would fit in a thimble, and aside from Mauricio Dubón, corner outfielders aren’t a lot better. No help is coming as short or third, so outfield bats are a priority,” HTHB’s Fred Owens wrote.

If Atlanta decides to pursue an outfielder, one intriguing option is Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton.

“The report on Buxton is still pretty similar to when he went No. 2 in the 2012 draft: elite runner and defender with loud bat speed. The difference is the bat speed in high school turned into regular in-game power by his mid-20s and now, in his early 30s, he is hitting some of the high-end projections for 30-plus homer potential more than a decade later. Basically everything you dreamed of with Buxton has come true, with injuries/durability being the only negative,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote.

Buxton would fit the profile of the type of player Anthopoulos has targeted in the past, particularly players with Georgia ties. Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and Michael Harris II are all examples of hometown talent the Braves have brought into the organization.

Buxton is currently on a $100 million contract with the Twins. While injuries have been the biggest concern throughout his career, the Braves could manage his workload while adding another dynamic bat and elite defender to the lineup. If a deal were completed, Buxton could slide into left field, a move he would likely be willing to make. The biggest hurdle, however, would be Buxton agreeing to waive his no-trade clause.

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