The Atlanta Braves could make a run at a Randal Grichuk trade at the deadline and the Rockies outfielder finally showed them what they needed to see.
On the field, there isn’t much of a match between the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies. As if the standings weren’t enough evidence of that, the Braves pasted the visiting NL West foes in a three-game sweep where the defending NL East champions scored a combined 32 runs while giving up just nine.
When it comes to the trade market, though, the two organizations could be a much better match, especially when it comes to veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk.
With the Braves potentially looking for an upgrade or more depth in left field, the Rockies are in a position to sell at the trade deadline, Grichuk is an easy trade target for Atlanta to identify. But through the first two games of the series, the 31-year-old wasn’t doing much to make a strong case that Atlanta should want him, going 0-for-7 with one walk and one RBI.
He aced his last chance to audition at Truist Park on Sunday, however.
Braves: Trade target Randal Grichuk shines in series finale
Though Grichuk struck out twice, he also registered an early walk that helped set up a big second inning for the Rockies and then laced a single and a double later in the game for a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
For the season now, Grichuk is slashing an impressive .297/.367/.426 on the year with 14 doubles, one triple and one homer in 39 games this season. He has been notably worse away from hitter-friendly Coors Field, to be sure, but he’s improved his road numbers as the season has gone on, as evidenced by the performance on Sunday.
More importantly, though, Grichuk could offer some needed assurance in the outfield rotation, specifically with Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario. Both have been hot as of late, but struggled earlier in the year, which raises a bit of worry they could fall back to earth. Moreover, they are also both more power-hitting, all-or-nothing type of players at the plate, something that Grichuk could help diversify.
It remains to be seen exactly how the Braves plan to approach the trade deadline. However, if Grichuk is indeed a target, he showed them what he needed to in his last chance to do so in the series.