Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
The Atlanta Braves could look to make a trade to offset the devastating Ronald Acuña Jr. injury.
With All-Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the season with a torn ACL, the Atlanta Braves could look to add a piece to their depleted outfield as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.
Atlanta’s starting outfield is a far cry from what it was to start the year. Acuña is out for the season, left fielder Marcell Ozuna is persona non grata and top prospect Cristian Pache did not make the most of his early run with the team in April. Unless the Braves are cool with Orlando Arcia, Guillermo Heredia and Ender Inciarte starting most nights, they have to make a trade.
Here are three outfielders the Braves could trade for help offset the devastating Acuña loss.
Atlanta Braves: 3 outfielders to trade for to replace Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2021
3
Mitch Haniger
RF Seattle Mariners
Mitch Haniger could provide an All-Star presence in right field, and in 2022
While Atlanta would probably only be looking for a half-season rental to offset Acunña’s season-ending injury, Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger could become available at the deadline. Seattle may have a winning record at the All-Star Break, but the M’s are a good distance back of the division rival Oakland Athletics for the last AL Wild Card spot. They could fade later this month.
Haniger was an All-Star in 2018 for Seattle and has played very well for the Mariners this year. He is slashing .257/.311/.487 this season with 20 home runs and 52 runs batted in. Haniger is arbitration eligible this winter and will not be hitting free agency until 2023. In short, he gives the Braves a boost in right in 2021, as well as maybe becoming their every day left fielder in 2022.
Of course, trading for Haniger may require the Braves to part ways with one of their top prospects. Atlanta may not be on board with sending either Pache or Drew Waters Seattle’s way for a year-and-a-half of Haniger. There is also a chance Seattle does not want to part ways with him either, as Seattle could catch fire in the second half to finally end their two-decade postseason drought.
Haniger would be a pricey, multi-year solution to only a temporary problem for the 2021 Braves.