NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The race is on in the National League but that doesn’t mean the top teams are done with their rosters. The Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers should all be looking to make upgrades in the outfield at the MLB Trade Deadline. But who will get the right player?
The Atlanta Braves are dealing with injuries to Ronald Acuna Jr and Michael Harris currently. They no longer resemble the team that won 6 straight NL East titles. Atlanta is struggling at the moment and a trade for a veteran outfielder would help until they’re at full health.
One of the names being tossed around for the Atlanta is Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays. Granted, he’s having a down year and a change of scenery could be needed. However, are the Rays willing to part with a player widely considered the heart of their team due to a down season?
Will The Atlanta Braves Make A Trade
If Atlanta can land Arozarena, he will surely solve their issues at the plate. But the question remains if he’s just in a decline or a funk? How much are the Braves willing to bet on that? Arozarena is hitting.196 with 11 Home Runs and 28 RBIs. He’s much better than his stats this season suggest.
The Los Angeles Dodgers need some pop at the bottom half of their lineup and some analysts think that Jazz Chisholm Jr of the Miami Marlins could provide that. Unlike Atlanta going for Arozarena, the Marlins have been known to give players away for a few bags of Doritos. So all in all, the Dodgers could walk away from the MLB Trade Deadline with a steal.
Will The Los Angeles Dodgers Make A Trade
Chisholm Jr is batting .259 with 10 Home Runs, 39 RBIs, and 14 Stolen Bases. Playing him at least 7th in the order will provide the L.A. with one scary lineup in the second half of the season and have them primed for a deep postseason run once they get healthy.
There are other areas of concern for them but it has always been about offense with a slight nod towards pitching. They rank in the top 5 in most offensive categories but as they say, the rich get richer and the big clubs do whatever it takes to stay on top.
Will The Philadelphia Phillies Make A Trade
The Philadelphia Phillies are in dire need of an outfielder. A centerfielder would be nice and the name that keeps popping up for them is Luis Robert Jr of the Chicago White Sox. Currently, they are relying on Brandon Marsh who has been good in the short-term but the Phils are short on depth and truth be told, Marsh is better suited in a reserve role.
Adding Robert Jr to this lineup will provide Philadelphia with another bat who can go deep anytime he steps in the batter’s box. Adding his power in the 6-8th spot will give opposing pitchers nightmares. For Chicago, he’s currently hitting .205 with 9 Home Runs, and 14 RBIs in 31 games due to injuries.
Many believe the Phillies, Braves, and even the Dodgers should look for more pitching depth but their rotations have been solid this season. What they need is offense at the bottom half of their lineup and each player on this list should provide that.
The MLB Trade Deadline will be fun to watch and the big teams will look at whoever they believe could be the missing piece to their roster in hopes their investment will equal a World Series victory.
