The Braves are pushing toward another playoff run, and one area that still looks unfinished is the corner-outfield spot. Right now, Atlanta is running veteran Mike Yastrzemski out there, and the production has been light: a .226 batting average across 276 plate appearances with just six home runs.
That kind of hole makes the trade deadline worth watching, especially if the Athletics decide to turn a rough stretch into an opportunity. Oakland was sitting on top of the AL West for a few weeks early in the season, but injuries and poor play have knocked the club off course. The latest blow came with former Atlanta prospect Shea Langeliers being ruled out for the season.
If the A’s do shift into sell mode, they have a couple of outfielders who should make sense for Atlanta.
Tyler Soderstrom is the most obvious name. He opened the year slowly, but he has since become one of the hottest bats in the A’s lineup.
He’s up to 17 home runs and has an OPS above .820. For a Braves club looking for a left-handed bat that can help carry the offense, that kind of production stands out.
Soderstrom also signed a long-term extension this past offseason, which means any team trading for him would be getting years of control at a relatively low cost.
Lawrence Butler is another possible fit. His overall numbers this season haven’t been as strong, but the recent trend is encouraging.
He has lifted his average by more than 40 points, his exit velocity has climbed, and he’s starting to resemble the hitter he was during his dominant 2024 season. Butler is also locked up long-term, so the A’s would have plenty of leverage in any deal.
There’s one more wrinkle with Butler: he grew up in Atlanta. A move home, plus a fresh start, could make him an especially interesting target if the Braves decide to go shopping.
In Other News...
As Waste Another Jack Perkins Gem In Brutal Late Collapse
Jack Perkins gave the Athletics exactly the kind of start they needed in the series opener in Sacramento, carving through the Red Sox lineup and carrying a no-hitter deep into the game before Boston finally broke through in the sixth. Even after that, Oakland still had a chance to turn a sharp outing into a win, because Perkins limited the damage and kept the game within reach while the offense tried to scratch out enough support.
Jonah Heim provided a jolt with a solo home run, but the As could not fully cash in on the momentum and the night slipped away in the late innings. The result was another frustrating reminder that a strong start on the mound has not always been enough for Oakland, especially when the bullpen has to protect a slim lead and the lineup is left trying to make up the difference late. [Read more 🡒]
As Prospect Ryan Lasko Shares Encouraging Update After Scary Injury
Less than a month after a frightening collision sent Ryan Lasko to surgery, the Athletics prospect has offered a reassuring sign that his recovery is moving in the right direction. The Double-A outfielder shared a health update this week, and while the road ahead is still long, the fact that he is reporting progress in sensation and movement is meaningful news for a player whose injury immediately shifted attention far beyond the box score.
Lasko is recovering at a rehabilitation facility near his family, where he continues the slow work of rebuilding after the kind of setback that can change a career in an instant. The support around him has been visible throughout the organization, from teammates to the major-league club, and his update gives the As a reason to keep rooting for a comeback that still has plenty of steps left before anyone can think about baseball again. [Read more 🡒]