The Braves head into the second half at 55-40, still very much in the postseason mix despite some recent uneven play. And with the trade deadline only a couple of weeks away, Atlanta looks primed to be one of the more aggressive teams on the market.
That’s not just speculation. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has already made it clear the Braves expect to be involved.
“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.
One name that has surfaced in a major way is Tarik Skubal. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa floated Atlanta as the team he believes could land the Detroit Tigers ace in a bold deadline prediction.
“This bold prediction says that, despite their recent hot streak, the Tigers will indeed trade Skubal at the deadline. It won't be an easy choice for the front office and the fan base will be upset, but it is likely to be the ruthlessly correct baseball decision.
Where will Skubal wind up? My guess is with the Braves, though I hardly think that's a lock.
The bidding war will be intense,” Axisa wrote.
The idea of Skubal ending up in Atlanta is notable because the Braves were not originally seen as a top contender for the left-hander. But the market appears to be tightening around a small group of clubs with the resources and prospect capital to make a real run at him.
“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
If Atlanta actually pulled it off, the ripple effect would be enormous. Skubal would slot in at the top of the rotation and instantly raise the Braves from a team chasing a playoff spot to one with real National League title aspirations.
Of course, a deal like that would come at a steep price. Skubal’s contract and status as a two-time Cy Young winner would make him one of the most expensive names available, and any trade would require Atlanta to decide just how much future talent it is willing to move. Still, if the Braves do land him, it would rank as one of the defining deals of the season.
In Other News...
Cubs Fans Cant Believe What Live TV Caught At Wrigley
A routine Twins-Cubs matchup at Wrigley turned into something much stranger when a fan in the crowd drew more attention than the baseball on the field. Minnesota had its own highlights in the game, with Ryan Jeffers delivering a three-run homer and Bailey Ober working through a solid outing, but the broadcast ended up catching a moment that quickly took on a life of its own once viewers started talking about it online.
The shirt at the center of the buzz was provocative enough to set off a wave of disbelief and jokes from fans who saw the clip circulate on social media. For a game that already had enough going on between two familiar opponents, the unexpected bit of background theater became the side story people could not stop discussing, and it added another odd chapter to a day that will be remembered for more than just the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Could Cash In On One Breakout Piece At Deadline
As the August 3 trade deadline creeps closer, the Twins are still sorting out whether this is a group that should add or a roster that should be reshaped. Minnesota has a few obvious names that could draw interest if it decides to listen, from Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers to Trevor Larnach, but the more intriguing questions are starting to center on the players whose value may be peaking right now.
Matt Wallner fits that description neatly after a breakout stretch that has put him on the radar as a possible sell-high piece, and his club control only adds to the appeal for any team looking beyond this season. Spencer Tait is another name to watch if the Twins decide to use their catching depth as leverage, while Luke Keaschall remains more of a longshot unless a truly massive offer changes the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Suddenly Have Another Royce Lewis Concern As Buxton Hope Builds
Royce Lewis was back in the Twins lineup at first base the previous day, but he was out again against the Cubs because of left hamstring soreness, another reminder of how fragile Minnesotas infield picture can get when one of its most dynamic bats is less than 100 percent. The timing matters, too, because the club is still trying to manage Lewis carefully while keeping his offense in the lineup as much as possible.
There was at least a more encouraging sight elsewhere in the organization, with Byron Buxton doing baseball activities as part of his rehab from a right hip strain. Minnesota also has several pitchers working back on rehab assignments, including Cole Sands, Julian Merryweather and Garrett Acton, giving the Twins a few more moving parts to monitor as they wait for healthier days. [Read more 🡒]