Braves trade deadline deemed lackluster as NL scout wishes Atlanta had done more

The Atlanta Braves were not the most aggressive team at this year's MLB trade deadline, making two moves to acquire Lane Thomas and Tyler Mahle from the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants, respectively.

Those weren't terrible moves by any means, but considering this Braves club has a real chance to win it all this season, and they were one of the teams most often linked to Tarik Skubal, it's a shame they didn't add more to help the team.

With the deadline now in the rearview mirror, one NL scout told Jesse Rogers of ESPN that the Braves were the one team they think should have done more at the deadline. Unfortunately, it's a warranted reaction.

NL scout thinks Braves should have done more at trade deadline

When asked the question: "What teams did you think should have done more -- and didn't?" an NL scout responded with the Braves as their answer.

An American League scout called out the Athletics, while an AL executive called out the Kansas City Royals for the two other teams that didn't do enough at this year's trade deadline.

Unfortunately for the Braves, this NL scout lumping Atlanta and Alex Anthopolous with those other disappointing deadline teams is warranted.

For a club that has a real chance to win it all this season, to not go out and land a top-tier starting pitcher like Robbie Ray, Casey Mize, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, or even Freddy Peralta made for an underwhelming deadline.

MORE: Braves get unexpectedly weak grade from ESPN for Lane Thomas trade with Royals

They also could've tried landing a top infielder like Zach Neto, CJ Abrams, or Jeremy Pena at shortstop, though such an addition likely would've been more of a challenge.

The Thomas addition does help resolve some of their lineup issues, but even he's not the true difference-maker that a World Series contender like the Braves really could've benefited from.

It was just a lackluster trade deadline for the Braves, considering how good this team can be, and especially considering how dire their starting rotation need was.

While it might be harsh to say the Braves had one of the more disappointing trade deadlines of any team, as they did make a couple of additions, it's not hard to understand the gripe from this NL scout about the Braves' underwhelming deadline outcome.

More MLB news:

• Cubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue Jays
• What did Mets get for Freddy Peralta? Rays send three prospects for 4.99 ERA SP
• Tigers receive lousy grade for Tarik Skubal trade to Dodgers from ESPN
• How Cubs inadvertently helped Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal
• Royals DFA former Phillies All-Star reliever Matt Strahm after trade deadline