After announcing Ender Inciarte being released, the Braves were ready to strike on the last day of the MLB Trade Deadline. First, Atlanta acquired LF Eddie Rosario from the Cleveland Indians. Returning to Cleveland in the deal is longtime MLB veteran Pablo Sandoval. Atlanta is also acquiring outfielder Adam Duvall from the Miami Marlins for catcher Alex Jackson.
A complete revamp for Atlanta’s outfield from what they started the year off with. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna will both be out for the remainder of the season. Atlanta also added Joc Pederson not too long ago, where he has picked things up since joining Atlanta. Since joining the team, Joc is hitting .275, blasting two homers through 13 games of action with his new ball club. But, how do Duvall and Rosario contribute to the revamped Braves outfield?
Eddie Rosario is one hitter who has always been able to contribute when the games matter. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is currently injured but will return within the next few weeks. Rosario signed a one-year deal, worth 8 million over the offseason with the Indians. The Braves are working to get their outfield up to speed in playoff contention, with their current infield being Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Austin Riley.
Adam Duvall, a forceful power hitter also joins the Atlanta Braves outfield mix. The power hitter blasted 22 home runs for the Marlins through 90 games of play, but only had a .229 average. Duvall played for the Braves from 2018-2020, where he was acquired via trade from Cincinnati in 2018. With space cleared up by the unfortunate injuries and mishaps, the Braves have been through this season, Duvall should give National League something to worry about adding a jolt of power to their lineup.
Leaving Atlanta is corner infielder Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval is best remembered for his days with the San Francisco Giants, leading them to win three World Series. Sandoval has struggled this year, only batting .178 with four home runs throughout 69 games played with Atlanta. Cleveland will look to utilize Sandoval at the corners, on days where Bobby Bradley or Jose Ramirez need a rest. The Panda moves onto Cleveland, where he could also be a factor hitting in the DH spot.
Alex Jackson now joins the Marlins organization, where they have been looking for an extra catcher. Between the struggles of Jorge Alfaro and Sandy Leon manning the backstop position, they could look to a younger guy like Jackson to provide some offense for the team. Mainly playing with AAA Gwinnett, Jackson has smashed 11 home runs, hitting .287 in 30 games with the team. Drafted back in 2014 by the Seattle Mariners, Jackson has what it takes to be able to give the Marlins a boost to their offense, as they wait patiently for Joe Mack to make this way through the system.
The deadline to complete trades ends today at 4:00 pm EST. The Atlanta Braves began their day, working to finalize these deals with a brand new look to their outfield. Atlanta is currently right behind Philadelphia in the NL East Standings, at third place. Only a half-game away in the standings, does Atlanta now have the pieces to contend this October?