A frustrating first half of the 2021 regular season will come to an end this weekend when the Atlanta Braves finish off a three-game series against the Miami Marlins and head into the All-Star break. Just being real, this season has been anything but fun. There have been some bright spots such as the play of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, but those have been largely overshadowed by the reality of a sub .500 record 86 games into the season. That certainly wasn’t what any of us were expecting.
So what to look for in the second half? They need to get healthy and they are going to need to plug some holes. What if they struggle out of the gate? Would they really sell?
I don’t see them selling under any circumstance but this trade deadline is going to be significant, one way or another.
More Braves News
- This week’s mailbag focuses on whether the Braves should buy or sell, Dansby Swanson’s future, the bullpen and more.
- Andruw Jones will serve as the National League’s hitting coach for the Futures Game Sunday and offered some high praise for Braves outfield prospect Michael Harris.
- This week’s Starting Nine focuses on nine big questions facing the Braves as they enter the All-Star break.
- It was a short absence for Pablo Sandoval who was reinstated from the restricted list by the Braves Thursday. Jacob Webb was optioned back to Gwinnett to open a spot on the active roster.
2021 MLB Draft
- The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd ranks the best all-time draft picks for all 30 teams. Braves Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones slots into the first tier and comes in at No. 7 overall just behind Cal Ripken Jr. and George Brett.
- Fred McGriff will represent the Braves at the 2021 MLB Draft.
- MLB.com’s Andrew Simon takes a look at who should have been the No. 1 overall pick in every MLB Draft dating back to 1965.
- Our resident Division II expert Wayne Cavadi spotlights some names to keep an eye on for next week’s draft.
- Georgia once again has a number of talented draft prospects. Here is a closer look at who we can expect to be picked in the coming week.
- Houston Astros infielders Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve both announced Thursday morning that they will not participate in next week’s All-Star Game. Correa is opting out to spend time with his wife who is pregnant while Altuve is nursing a left leg injury.
- Mets ace Jacob deGrom told reporters Wednesday that he will not be attending the All-Star Game at Coors Field. DeGrom said that he will spend time with his family and rest for the second half.
- Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be the No. 1 seed in MLB’s Home Run Derby bracket.
MLB News
- Major League Baseball announced that the league had extended Trevor Bauer’s placement on the Administrative Leave for another 7 days with the agreement of the Players Association.
With the agreement of the Players Association, MLB has extended Trevor Bauer's placement on Administrative Leave for an additional 7 days, effective tomorrow. MLB's investigation is ongoing.
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 8, 2021
- The Miami Marlins announced Thursday that manager Don Mattingly will return as the team’s manager in 2022.
- The Cincinnati Reds placed starter Sonny Gray on the 10-day injured list due to a rib cage strain. Gray didn’t seem concerned when speaking to reporters Thursday saying that he pitched through the discomfort in his start Wednesday and thinks he will be ready to go when he is eligible to be activated.
- White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Winston-Salem Friday. Jimenez ruptured his left pectoral tendon two days before Opening Day and had to undergo surgery.