The Atlanta Braves are heading out of the All-Star Break nursing a two game National League East lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. Injuries to the outfield, rotation, and bullpen have made what appeared to be the league's best roster through the first two months of the season appear to be among the league's worst. This isn't hyperbolic, but due to a record that dates back to the start of June puts the Braves in the conversation as a team at the bottom of the National League.
Much of this is due to clear roster holes, with Ronald Acuna Jr.'s absence showing just how reliant the offense is on the star outfielder. Add in regression from Raisel Iglesias, Jorge Mateo, Dominic Smith, Drake Baldwin, and Martin Perez, and the reasons why the Braves have struggled unquestionably gain a bit of clarity.
With this in mind, the Braves have a clear priority list when it comes to the upcoming trade deadline and how urgently the franchise must approach adding to its roster. Finding a bat to bolster the bottom of the lineup and an innings eater for the middle of the rotation are needs if Atlanta is going to hold off Philadelphia and control the division lead.
Braves Have Clear Roster Holes that Must be Fixed Ahead of this Year's Trade Deadline
Atlanta is going to need not only timely roster additions, but also for current players to perform at a higher level. The rotation has been a shocking source of frustration after having far too many options through the first weeks of the season. It speaks to the roster-wide regression that is only going to be offset by manager Walt Weiss taking an incredibly aggressive approach in the second half of the season and the Braves adding to the current roster.
If both of these things happen, Atlanta is going to have a clear chance to hold onto the division lead. One that has grown increasingly slim over the last two months of the season. Making it clear that the All-Star Break couldn't have arrived at a better moment, as the Braves needed a chance to reset and search for answers.
Getting Acuna back into the lineup cannot be underrated, as the break cannot be, as Atlanta was mired in a slump and feeling the pressure. The hope is that the break brings a bit of joy and spark back to the Braves lineup and is a needed reset after an incredibly frustrating month of baseball.
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