One of my favorite features of every season is FanGraphs’ annual ranking of the top 50 players in baseball by their trade value. The articles are always an interesting look at the league heading into the trade deadline. The Atlanta Braves are well represented again this year with three players in the top 50 including two in the top 5.
No. 3 - Ronald Acuña Jr.
No. 4 - Ozzie Albies
No. 39 - Ian Anderson
Acuña’s season-ending injury knocked him out of the top spot as he was having a career-best season. Albies is one of the best bargains in the game currently while Anderson makes his debut on the list.
More Braves News
- The Braves lost to the Phillies 5-1 on Friday night in a game that’s featured more of what we’ve all seen way too much of this season. Defensive issues, an offense that couldn’t come through, a Sean Newcomb leadoff walk, you get the idea. The Braves’ Fangraphs playoff odds are below eight percent now, pretty much at their lowest point of the season, give or take a few decimal points.
- The Braves announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with 19 of their 20 draft selections from the 2021 MLB Draft. The only player not to sign was 20th round pick Ty Evans who was essentially a fall back option in case one of the early picks failed to sign. The team also announced that they have signed two undrafted free agents in high school infielder Anderson De Los Santos and JJ Niekro who is a right-handed pitcher out of Florida Southern College. Niekro is the son of Joe Niekro and the nephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro.
- In this week’s mailbag, I discussed the decision to have Joc Pederson in the leadoff spot, the many bullpen issues the Braves are facing and much more.
- MLB Pipeline lists one intriguing prospect trade chip for all 30 teams with one week remaining before the Trade Deadline. For the Braves, it is right-hander Freddy Tarnok who was recently promoted to Double-A Mississippi.
Upper-level pitchers like Kyle Muller and Tucker Davidson have made contributions in the Majors and could be counted on to help the Braves try to climb back into the playoff race, though as big league-ready arms, they could fetch a good return. Assuming they stay on the Major League staff, the Braves could deal from their pitching depth in the Minors and the 22-year-old Tarnok was just promoted to Double-A.
- The New York Mets acquired left-hander Rich Hill from the Tampa Bay Rays Friday in hopes of adding some depth to their injury riddled rotation. The Rays will receive reliever Tommy Hunter and catching prospect Matt Dyer.
- The Seattle Mariners are reportedly looking for infield upgrades and are among the teams interested in Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier.
- A number of teams are scouring the relief market and the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly among the teams interested in Rangers reliever Ian Kennedy.
- The New York Yankees are reportedly among the teams showing interest in Rockies shortstop Trevor Story.
MLB News
- The Cleveland Indians are now the Cleveland Guardians as the club officially announced its name change Friday.
- The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Nick Castellanos on the 10-day injured list due to a microfracture in his right wrist. Castellanos was hit int he wrist by a pitch a week ago. Initial X-rays came back negative but a CT scan revealed the fracture.
- Injured Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is still dealing with neck discomfort that followed a recent bullpen session. The team is trying to determine the next course of action. Strasburg has made just five starts this season and hasn’t pitched in a game since June 1.
- MLB will begin testing a new device that allows catchers to electronically communicate signs to pitchers at one of the lower minor league levels in the next couple of weeks.