Bleacher Report’s non-rental trade candidates that could interest Braves
The Braves trade deadline might define the 2024 campaign, but more than anything, the club needs their guys to get healthy.
If Alex Anthopoulos believes he’ll have Michael Harris II, Max Fried, and Ozzie Albies back by the time October, Atlanta’s GM will be aggressive at the deadline, even without Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr.
However, what isn’t being talked about enough is the potential of a trade filling a void in 2024 but also in 2025. The Braves have needs at shortstop, the outfield, and in the rotation that extend well beyond this season. If Anthopoulos finds a deal that makes sense, these are some non-rental trade candidates from Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report’s Top 25 that could interest Atlanta.
Taylor Ward posted the best season of his career in 2022, blasting 23 home runs with a 134 OPS+, but a face injury limited him to less than 100 games last season. He hasn’t quite lived up to that 2022 campaign in 2024 either. The veteran owns a 97 OPS+ but has the kind of pop that the Braves love. Ward has launched 14 home runs to go along with 17 doubles this season.
Jeff Passan recently reported that Lane Thomas is someone that the Braves have “long liked” ahead of the trade deadline. Though he’s struggled defensively, the Braves shouldn’t care. Thomas has played in 71 games this year and doesn’t have the most exciting slash line — .246/.314/.398 with 8 home runs — but absolutely mashes left-handed pitching.
