The Braves might be done making splashes heading into 2023 but there’s still one more trade that Atlanta could pull off this offseason to help the club.
There haven’t been many big moves made by the Atlanta Braves in the offseason thus far, aside from landing catcher Sean Murphy in a trade with Oakland. They, in typical Alex Anthopoulos fashion, signed the newcomer to a long-term extension that adds him to the team’s elite young core.
Outside of the Murphy trade, however, the offseason has been a bit quiet in Atlanta. Dansby Swanson walked after the Braves couldn’t find the right deal with their shortstop. The team has also landed veteran platoon members, particularly in the outfield, by way of trades and signings. Perhaps the next biggest move was trading for reliever Lucas Luetge from the Yankees.
Should Atlanta be done there, though? Maybe not.
While it’s unlikely that the Braves would be able to (or would want to) give up the assets to land someone like Bryan Reynolds or another big-name trade candidate, and while it’s unlikely the team is going to find a trade partner right now for someone like Marcell Ozuna, there is one sneaky trade that could be helpful to Atlanta’s 2023 season.
Braves trade rumors: Miguel Rojas trade could be a smart move for Atlanta
Swanson joining the Cubs does leave some questions at shortstop but it does seem likely that the team will fill it on Opening Day with either Orlando Arcia or Vaughn Grissom. However, the utility and middle infield depth — especially given the recent injury woes of Ozzie Albies at second base — has to be concerning.
That’s where someone like Miguel Rojas of the Marlins could come into play. And here’s a loose template for what a trade could look like — though it remains to be seen what Miami would want in a deal.
Braves Get
IF Miguel Rojas
Marlins Get
OF Eddie Rosario
RHP Blake Burkhalter
In the deal, Atlanta sheds the salary of Rosario and sends the Marlins their No. 19 prospect from the 2022 season in Burkhalter, a 22-year-old in High-A last season. Meanwhile, the Braves get Rojas in the last year of his deal for only $5 million and fill a need.
While Rojas is not a terrific hitter — he posted a paltry OPS+ of 72 last season — he is one of the best defensive infielders in baseball. Moreover, he has played shortstop, first and third base. Given that versatility, it could also be assumed he could learn second base as well. As a defensive depth piece behind Grissom, Arcia and Albies, he would make a ton of sense.
It’s a shot-in-the-dark trade but one that would make a great deal of sense. If the Marlins would bite on a prospect and a player who could contribute right away, this is another relatively cheap trade for the Braves that would bring overall improvement to the roster.