Braves need more than pitching as trade deadline looms

By Jason Foster, Braves.com

The Braves’ biggest need before next week’s MLB trade deadline remains adding help to a shaky starting rotation, but strengthening the lineup may be nearly as important if Atlanta hopes to make a deep postseason run.

A surprising statistic underscores why the Braves could also be in the market for another impact bat.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Atlanta entered Sunday with 316 innings in which it failed to put a runner on base, the fourth-highest total in the National League and the sixth-most in Major League Baseball. The number highlights an offense that has been prone to disappearing for long stretches despite a productive start to the season.

Much of that total can be traced to a disastrous June, when the Braves posted a major league-worst .213 batting average and .599 OPS. While the offense has rebounded in July, several issues that contributed to those struggles remain concerns.

The lineup was hit hard when Ronald Acuña Jr. reinjured his right hamstring on June 9. Although Acuña wasn’t producing his typical power numbers before landing on the injured list, his .373 on-base percentage consistently helped set the table at the top of the order.

Catcher Drake Baldwin also missed significant time after suffering an oblique injury on May 18. Before getting hurt, Baldwin carried a .932 OPS. He homered on the first swing after returning but then endured a prolonged 2-for-43 slump.

Atlanta also received virtually no offensive production from Baldwin’s replacements. Sandy León, Chadwick Tromp and Austin Wynns combined to hit .110 with a .231 OPS during Baldwin’s absence, including a stretch in which the trio went just 1-for-40.

Shortstop has been another offensive black hole for much of the season. Ha-Seong Kim and Jorge Mateo have combined to hit .169 while filling the position, including a .102 average and .322 OPS during June.

Third baseman Austin Riley also struggled through much of the first half. Although he has caught fire since the All-Star break with a .921 OPS, Riley posted just a .288 on-base percentage and struck out in nearly 30 percent of his plate appearances through his first 95 games.

The Braves are not alone among contenders that frequently go down in order. The New York Yankees led the majors entering Sunday with 321 scoreless innings in order, while the Philadelphia Phillies (317) and Arizona Diamondbacks (312) also ranked among the league leaders. However, Atlanta was the only division leader among the top dozen teams in that category.

Even with the recent offensive improvement, Atlanta still has glaring weaknesses. Left field has produced a major league-worst .629 OPS this season, while the designated hitter position has posted just a .652 OPS since May 1, ranking 26th in baseball over that span.

Those numbers suggest adding another middle-of-the-order bat could be just as important as bolstering the rotation.

Among the players who could fit Atlanta’s needs if they become available are outfielders Lane Thomas of the Royals and Jo Adell of the Angels. Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña would also be an intriguing option if Houston were willing to move him, while Giants infielder Casey Schmitt offers right-handed power and defensive versatility.

With October aspirations still firmly in view, the Braves appear likely to pursue pitching before the August 3rd deadline. But if they hope to maximize their championship chances, adding an impact hitter may prove just as critical. A lineup that too often fails to generate baserunners is unlikely to sustain postseason success.