Atlanta Braves Trade Deadline Partners: Chicago White Sox
After watching the White Sox take a series from the Braves in Atlanta, it continues to shock me with how bad that team has been considering all the talent they have. But the fact is, they have a 1.6 percent chance to make the playoffs according to FanGraphs, and will likely need to move some of that talent at this year's deadline.
Let's start with the big fish that is Dylan Cease. If the White Sox made him available, which isn't given, the Braves likely don't have the trade chips to get it done.
Lucas Giolito might be the starter most likely to get moved as he's a rental and having a decent season with a 3.96 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 20 starts with 122 strikeouts in 116 innings. He'll be a hot commodity, which could drive up the price. It might take an Owne Murphy or JR Ritchie to get him, and that's likely not worth getting Giolito as a two-month rental.
Lance Lynn is also a potential rental with an $18 million team option in 2024 and $1 million buyout. Because of the money he's making this year ($18.5 million), and the fact he has a 6.06 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, his price should be extremely lower. He's a veteran who at least gives you innings and has a good strikeout rate. If you could get him for a Tanner Gordon it could make some sense.
Aaron Bummer doesn't have the best numbers, but he has a 3.11 xERA with 28.5 percent strikeout rate and he's left-handed. He's under team control through 2025 at a cheap price, but you could probably get him for Jared Shuster or Dylan Dodd.
Joe Kelly is a name that a lot of Braves fans have been asking for. He has a $9.5 million team option for next year. The righty meets all the metrics with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate, 8.3 percent walk rate, and 3.01 xERA with a big fastball and wipeout slider. He's coming off injury, but as long as he proves healthy he's likely to draw a lot of interest at the deadline. If you consider you're getting a dominant reliever with an extra year of control, getting Joe Kelly for Shuster or Dodd seems like a fair deal.
Elvis Andrus hasn't had the best year, but if the Braves wanted to look for an upgrade on the bench as an infield utility player, he could work.
The White Sox figured to be very active at the trade deadline, and Alex Anthopoulos should be heavily involved in those talks.
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