The Atlanta Braves traded for Nicky Lopez over the weekend, who can play multiple positions, including shortstop. What does that mean for Vaughn Grissom?
Atlanta trade Taylor Hearn, a relief pitcher they acquired just six days prior, for Lopez, who is expected to play a super-utility role for the Braves. Atlanta has all of their infield positions covered, but Lopez is signed through 2025, and can play third and second base as well.
It was an odd deal for the Kansas City Royals to make, as Lopez has enough value to at least acquire a lottery ticket prospect back in return. Instead, they opted for Hearn, who is 29 years old and struggled in his only appearance in the ATL.
The acquisition of Lopez could be bad news for Vaughn Grissom, who entered the season as the favorite to take over for Dansby Swanson at shortstop. However, that conversation ended in spring training with the emergence of Orlando Arcia, who made the NL All-Star team this season.
MLB Rumors: Could Braves part ways with Vaughn Grissom?
Grissom was once seen as one of the top prospects in Atlanta's otherwise-thin farm system. However, times have changed, an Anthopoulos found another solution in Arcia.
Last week, The Athletic discussed the possibility of a Grissom trade, calling him the most likely Brave to be dealt at the trade deadline.
"Seen as a possible replacement for Dansby Swanson at one point, Grissom has fallen behind both veteran Orlando Arcia and fellow prospect Braden Shewmake in the pecking order. He's also, obviously, behind Ozzie Albies. Grissom played second for an injured Albies last season and put up a 118 OPS+ in 41 games. He struggled in his big-league stint this year but is thriving at Triple A."
Grissom is potentially the best player Anthopoulos is willing to part ways with for proven talent. AJ Smith-Shawver and others atop the Atlanta farm system are valued around the league, but also within the organization. Smith-Shawver, for one, made an MLB cameo this season and is only 20 years old. He's also the Braves only top-100 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
If Grissom were to go to a rebuilding team, he'd have the ability to find his natural position AND receive regular major-league reps, which is what he's lacking with the Braves.