The Atlanta Braves could use a left fielder. Thankfully for them, the Colorado Rockies have one to sell at the trade deadline.
The Braves and Rockies are currently in the midst of a three-game series at Truist Park. Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos has received an up close and personal look at these Rockies, who are bound to be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline.
For a contending team like the Braves, series like this one are valuable for several reasons. First, Atlanta ought to win said series, but that’s beyond the point. Anthopoulos and his team of scouts can also pick out a few Rockies players they may be interested in acquiring come late July.
The Braves don’t have many significant roster holes, but left field is an area they could upgrade in. Eddie Rosario hasn’t been as solid as the team hoped. Randal Grichuk, meanwhile, offers some defensive stability at the position and is hitting .307/.373/.438 with an OPS+ of 110 on the year. It it a match?
What a Braves-Rockies trade for Randal Grichuk would look like
FanSided’s Kevin Henry laid out the reasoning behind a Grichuk trade to Atlanta on Friday morning.
“Grichuk is in the final year of a five-year, $52 million deal and should be one of the players the Rockies move at the trade deadline. The 31-year-old outfielder is in the midst of a solid season, slashing .307/.373/.438 with an OPS+ of 110. As will be the case with the Rockies, Braves fans will want to know what he has done away from Coors Field … and Grichuk has put together good numbers on the road this season, slashing .262/.329/.354 with more home runs (one … yes, he doesn’t hit for a lot of power) and RBI (nine on the road versus five in Denver).”
Grichuk’s power leaves much to be desired, but that’s not why the Braves would consider trading for him. He can also play all three outfield positions well, and offers the versatility Anthopoulos tends to target come deadline day. Here’s what a trade may look like:
Braves Get
OF, Randal Grichuk
Rockies Get
RHP, Victor Vodnik
1B/3B David McCabe
So, the Rockies get two mid-level prospects in return for Grichuk, who is on an expiring contract. Vodnik is close to MLB-ready, and is having a really strong year in the minors. He could contribute to the Rockies rotation or bullpen as early as this season. McCabe is raking, but he’s 23 years old and only in A-ball. With the right development, perhaps Colorado can use his power at Coors Field one day.