3 Players the Braves Should Trade For Ahead of the Deadline

The Atlanta Braves have had an up-and-down 2021 season so far, but they seem to finally be putting the pieces together. The team currently sits just 1.0 games back in the NL East division with a 23-24 record, which puts them in contention to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline in July.

Acquiring a few key players could catapult this Atlanta squad into another level as true Word Series contenders. With that being said, here are three players the Braves should trade for.

Atlanta Braves Trade Targets

1. Josh Hader, Relief Pitcher

Acquiring Josh Hader would give the Braves a reliable closer. / John Fisher/Getty Images

If the Braves want to go all-in this season, making a deal for relief pitcher Josh Hader would be one way to do just that. The Braves' bullpen has struggled so far posting the ninth-worst ERA in the MLB (4.62) and it lacks a true closer. That is where Hader steps in. The 27-year-old has been an elite closer for the Milwaukee Brewers the past three seasons and has yet to blow a single opportunity this year. He has a spotless 3-0 record on the year and currently owns an impressive 1.02 ERA. Adding him to the roster would give the Braves a massive upgrade out in the bullpen.

2. Michael Pineda, Starting Pitcher

Michael Pineda is a great option to give the Braves depth in the rotation. / Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images

Another area on the roster where the Braves are lacking depth is in the starting rotation. They are currently mixing up who starts every fifth game and need someone they can rely on to go out and get the job done. A realistic target in this situation remains Minnesota Twins starter Michael Pineda. Pineda is 2-2 on the season through 7 starts and has posted a 2.79 ERA in 38.2 innings pitched. He has also racked up 39 strikeouts during that span and is playing on an expiring contract. It wouldn't cost the Braves much to acquire him as a rental player for a playoff run.

3. Stephen Vogt, Catcher

Stephen Vogt would bring a veteran presence behind the plate. / Adam Hunger/Getty Images

The Braves were dealt some brutal news when starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud was placed on the 60-day IL with a thumb injury. Rookie catcher William Contreras has played well, but the team could benefit from adding a veteran for the long stretch that d'Arnaud will miss. Stephen Vogt sticks out as a potential target here given he has nine years of experience under his belt and is playing on a one-year deal. Vogt has been solid at the plate in 2020 hitting 3 home runs and racking up 12 RBI in 28 games played. He could act as the perfect mentor for Contreras this season.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.