Braves Rumors: Alex Verdugo trade a possibility for OF hole

It looks as if Eddie Rosario is gone after the Atlanta Braves elected to not pick up a mutual option with the veteran outfielder. As such, the longstanding fan desire for the club to upgrade out in left field has been amplified since that decision was made. The question has been and will be what route Alex Anthopoulos takes to try and accomplish that.

Perhaps the trade market could be an option. Specifically, could Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo make sense for the Braves on the trade market?

Former MLB general manager and current insider Jim Bowden addressed that possibility in a recent column for The Athletic ($). Unpacking the needs and plans for every National League team, he listed Verdugo as a trade possibility for the Braves.

Verdugo has just one year of club control remaining and the 27-year-old has been both productive and a bit of a headache in Boston. He was benched multiple times in the 2023 season for lack of hustle and commitment in the clubhouse. At the same time, he's slashed .281/.338/.761 over four seasons with the Red Sox and has continued to improve as an everyday hitter.

The buzz appears to be that Boston is motivated to move Verdugo in a trade this offseason. If that's the case, then perhaps the Braves could fill the hole in left field with a relatively cheap move that would also represent a substantial upgrade in the lineup from the likes of Rosario and Kevin Pillar.

Braves Rumors: Atlanta named among favorites to sign Josh Hader

While starting pitching is the clear priority for the Braves, there have been rumblings dating back to the trade deadline that the club could also look to further fortify the bullpen. So, whether it's been wishful thinking or not, Josh Hader, arguably the best closer in baseball, has been floated as a possible fit in Atlanta.

The Braves were a frequently mentioned trade destination for Hader at the 2023 midseason deadline, but the San Diego Padres, instead, elected to hang onto the closer and try to make a push for the playoffs. That was ill-fated and now the Padres are cash-strapped with Hader hitting the free agency market.

So the drum continues to beat for Hader and the Braves, the latest of which is Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report listing the Braves as the No. 8 landing spot for Hader. However, his speculation seemed less than optimistic for Atlanta.

"We've seen Atlanta mentioned somewhat often as a potential No. 3 suitor for Hader behind Texas and Philadelphia. But, really? The Braves have never signed a free agent to a contract worth more than $75.25 million (B.J. Upton a decade ago), but this is where they're going to plant their first nine-figure flag? When they already have Raisel Iglesias as one of their highest-paid players? And when starting pitching is very clearly the bigger concern? You sure 'bout that?"

That is a valid point. However, the early offseason trades seem to indicate a more aggressive free agency approach from Anthopoulos and the Braves. Moreover, pairing Hader with Iglesias and AJ Minter at the back end of the bullpen would be an electric combo that would all but shore up any end-of-game scenario.

Yes, there should be some trepidation about the Braves being able or willing to land Hader given their history. At the same time, though, when you continue to see smoke, there's usually fire. And the Hader-to-Atlanta smoke has still not subsided.

Braves Rumors: Dylan Cease trade package for possible blockbuster

Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease is one of the hottest names on the trade market for the 2023-24 MLB offseason. The Atlanta Braves are also obviously heavily interested in making a substantial move to upgrade the rotation. Thus, the possibility of Cease coming to Atlanta has been an obvious connection to make.

Though Cease had an ERA north of 4.50 in the 2023 season as the White Sox became an unmitigated disaster, his bonafides and appeal for the Braves are obvious. He has two full seasons of club control remaining, he was the AL Cy Young runner-up in the 2022 campaign, and he'll be just 28 years old at the start of the 2024 season. That all tracks for a player Alex Anthopoulos would target in a trade.

However, the crucial question to ponder here is what a Braves trade package for Dylan Cease would look like. Luckily, Chase Irle of SportsTalkATL put together what is a realistic and sensible trade package for Atlanta to send Chicago's way.

The big thing to consider for the Braves is that, yes, giving up the organization's top three prospects is expensive, but Atlanta is not one of the strongest farm systems in baseball. Subsequently, that's what it might take. However, being able to dangle young arms in front of the White Sox when that's the strength of the Braves farm system is also an advantage in a big way.

By no means does this mean that Atlanta is trading for Dylan Cease with any kind of certainty. However, it's an obvious connection and, based on this proposed trade package and both team's needs, it would make a ton of sense.