The Atlanta Braves need outfield help. That much has been clear for weeks now, ever since defending National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL at the end of May.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are in a terrible losing stretch, having fallen five games back of the last NL playoff spot. The Cubs had high hopes heading into the season, the first of Craig Counsell’s managerial tenure in Chicago, but things are looking more bleak by the day.
If things continue on their current trajectory, the Braves will be obvious buyers, while the Cubs will be surprise sellers. And the needs of both teams could set up perfectly for a blockbuster at the Major League Baseball trade deadline.
The Athletic MLB staff reported Thursday that the interest around Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has picked up, with the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees recently scouting the 2019 NL MVP. The Braves could easily get in on the action if the Cubs’ struggles continue.
Bellinger, 28, is having a mediocre season by his career standards, but a very respectable season compared to the average hitter. His .748 OPS/110 OPS+ are both well above the Braves’ team standards in the outfield this season, especially with Acuña out of the picture.
It might gall the Cubs to trade with the Braves, who played a big hand in spoiling their playoff chances down the stretch last season. Plus there’s still some animosity about Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 70th steal celebration stopping the game in the 10th inning of one September matchup.
However, when a deal makes a ton of sense for both sides, old hostilities have to be set aside. The Braves have an obvious need for one more bat in the outfield, while the Cubs could stand to lose Bellinger for nothing in the off-season if his numbers pick back up.
Bellinger could play center while Harris is still out and then shift over to right for the remainder of the year. The Braves could demote Duvall to a platoon with Bellinger and/or Jarred Kelenic. And they’d be much better positioned to take a run at the Phillies for the NL East crown.
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