The Atalnta Braves were baseball’s best team for the first two months of the season. They still maintain a healthy lead in the NL East but the cracks are beginning.Atlanta is 9-13 in June after winning one of six games in a quick swing through California this past week. Its double-digit division margin over the Philadelphia Phillies has dwindled to three games from 10 1/2 a little over a month ago. To say they need to make moves sooner rather than later is an understatement.While president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos isn’t usually one for big moves at the deadline, the Braves’ early success and clear needs (Tarik Skubal, anyone?) certainly would call for a change this summer.Record: 49-33Record this time last season: 38-44Standing: 1st in NL EastPlayoff odds entering Sunday: 95.1 percent (FanGraphs), 99.4 percent (Baseball Reference)
If the season ended today: They’d be in as the third-best team in the NL.Biggest series between now and the deadline: While not a division rival, the Braves’ four-game series against the San Diego Padres from July 20-23 will be their toughest task.Current needs:Starting pitching is a priority. Outside of Chris Sale and Martín Pérez, the rotation hasn’t been able to hold a consistent line over the past month. With Robert Suarez going on the injured list, the bullpen could use an extra arm to fill in that void. In addition, booming infield bat since Austin Riley and Ha-Seong Kim are in the middle of the worst seasons of their careers.History says: The 2022 trade deadline closely mirrors the circumstances of today’s Braves. In that season, the club acquired now closer Raisel Iglesias, and addressed other areas of weakness in attempted defense of a World Series title. With a farm system that is trending upward, they have more depth than in past years to acquire high-end talent.What will determine their path: I think the Braves could squander their divisional lead, be at .500 at the trade deadline and still consider making moves. There’s no way Anthopoulos stays put with the team he has right now, especially given how hot they can be when everything is clicking.What should they do: Sell the farm. In baseball, no prospect is truly off limits in the right deal, and you’ll always be able to bring in more high-end prospects. The Braves have a deep lineup with core group of Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Riley that they’ve invested so much in financially. With a lockout looming, Anthopoulos should go all-in to bring home another World Series to Atlanta.
