The Braves should target these players before the trade deadline

Entering play Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves are 51-39, 7.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Despite the injury losses of reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and ace starter Spencer Strider (who finished fourth in last year’s Cy Young voting), though, the Braves are firmly atop the NL wild-card standings.Best porn XXX. Comeback Player of the Year candidate Chris Sale (12-3, 2.74 ERA) and fellow starter Reynaldo Lopez (7-2, 1.71 ERA) have spearheaded the team’s first-half success from the mound while Marcell Ozuna has stepped up in the batter’s box, boasting a .932 OPS with 23 home runs.  However, the offense has taken a significant step back from leading the NL in 2023 to ranking 12th overall in 2024. First baseman Matt Olsen, who slugged .604 last season, is down to .424. For Atlanta to close the gap with the Phillies and make a deeper playoff run after two straight NLDS exits, it must bolster the roster before the MLB trade deadline on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Outfield and bullpen help are the club’s biggest needs. With Michael Harris II on the 10-day IL and Acuna Jr. out for the season, the outfield is thin. While Jarred Kelenic has been quietly effective since his acquisition from the Seattle Mariners, Adam Duvall (.570 OPS in 70 games) and recent acquisition Eddie Rosario aren’t long-term solutions. Here are six players the Braves should seriously consider targeting in the trade market: One intriguing option is Pillar, released earlier this season by the Chicago White Sox and now hitting .295/.350/.500 for the Los Angeles Angels (43 games played). Pillar is a high-character player who can also still play spectacular defense in multiple outfield positions. Kevin Pillar takes flight to land the @Chevrolet Electric Play of the Week! pic.twitter.com/i1WoTh3qoT Andujar is a more productive and younger offensive option. He is under team control until 2026 and making $1.7 million this season. Andujar is slashing .296/.325/.408 in 157 at-bats and could be motivated to join a winning ballclub. 109.8 mph from Miguel Andujar pic.twitter.com/q47KmKRrxx Despite his $13 million salary, Blackmon – a 14-year veteran – still commands the strike zone well, ranking 84th in Whiff % and in the 89th percentile of K %. His ability to get on base could be crucial for the Braves’ struggling offense. Yates is an enticing option if the defending World Series champs continue to slide. He is one of the best relievers in 2024, posting a league-leading .131 opponent batting average in 32 appearances. Kirby Yates @Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports pic.twitter.com/uvm61PzAre Another solid option, if healthy, is Garcia, who has a 2.57 ERA, 0.786 WHIP in 28 innings to go along with five saves. Yimi GarcíaIs Good pic.twitter.com/WEVXV8KN3m Salary considerations, as they do for all high-payroll teams, will play a role this deadline. The Braves’ 2024 payroll is already above the MLB luxury tax threshold at $262,938,202, according to Spotrac. Adding new talent will require strategic financial maneuvering to avoid further tax penalties. As the trade deadline approaches, the Braves must act decisively to strengthen their roster and enhance their chances for a deeper playoff run. More must-reads: Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!