MIAMI, FLORIDA – JUNE 09: Jon Berti #5 of the Miami Marlins at bat. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series champions, but may need some reinforcements from within their own division.
The Atlanta Braves didn’t break well from the gates, but a recent surge has the defending World Champions within striking distance of the NL East Division-leading New York Mets.
But Atlanta could use a few extra bats and maybe an extra arm or two for the stretch run. The Braves made some key additions at the trade deadline last summer and will need to do the same before August 2nd this year.
Perhaps the opportunity to improve the roster is right in Atlanta’s backyard. Which three division rivals should the Braves trade for right now?
1. The Braves should trade for Marlins infielder Jon Berti
The Miami Marlins will be a popular team to follow as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Are the Fish going to be sellers? Most likely. Miami sits six games under .500 and according to Baseball Reference has less than a 2-percent chance to make the playoffs.
With that in mind, the Marlins should be selling. One player who’s likely to get a lot of attention is infielder Jon Berti. A former 18th-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, Berti is having a career year with the Miami Marlins.
Berti has appeared in just 42 games, yet he still leads the league in stolen bases. The 32-year-old also has an OPS north of .800 for the first time in his career. Berti is still arbitration eligible and will not become a free agent until after the 2025 season.
Jon Berti is very versatile, able to play both second and third base as well as the outfield. When the Atlanta Braves return to full strength, perhaps Berti would be more of a utility player, but with Ozzie Albies on the IL, Berti could be an immediate upgrade for the Braves.