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3 Moves the Braves Can Still Make to Catch the Dodgers in the NL Pennant Race

By Jack Murphy

Manager Brian Snitker and the Atlanta Braves need to make additional moves before Opening Day.
Manager Brian Snitker and the Atlanta Braves need to make additional moves before Opening Day. / Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

With the acquisitions of Mookie Betts and David Price, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the clear early favorites to represent the National League in the World Series. Up until the finalization of the deal, the Atlanta Braves seemed to be one of the best NL teams on paper, but they suddenly have work to do. They can still make some offseason moves to creep up to the Dodgers, however, starting with one of these three.

3. Rekindle Nolan Arenado Talks With Colorado

Nolan Arenado trade rumors involving the Braves recently died down
Nolan Arenado trade rumors involving the Braves recently died down / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich have said that they are no longer listening to offers for All-Star third baseman Nolan Areando. However, as tensions between the two parties have been brewing for weeks, the Rockies may have no choice but to ultimately trade the 28-year-old slugger. Arenado would be a perfect fit for the Atlanta Braves, as they lost Josh Donaldson to the Minnesota Twins. Arenado is among the few names that would be an upgrade from last year, and placing him with behind Ronald Acuña, Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman in the batting order is a truly exciting possibility.

2. Trade for Toronto's Ken Giles

Ken Giles finished the 2019 season with a 1.87 ERA and 83 strikeouts
Ken Giles finished the 2019 season with a 1.87 ERA and 83 strikeouts / G Fiume/Getty Images

The Braves improved their bullpen when the signed reliever Will Smith to three-year, $40 million deal. Adding the right-handed Ken Giles, however, could make the Braves bullpen among the MLB's best. He recorded an ERA of 1.87 and a WHIP of 1.000 in the 2019 campaign with the Blue Jays in a tough AL East. As the market for starting pitching is currently not at its strongest, the Braves would benefit more from adding an elite arm to a bullpen that struggled last season in key moments.

1. Make a Deal With the Cubs for Kris Bryant AND Wilson Contreras

Kris Bryant trade rumors this offseason have frequently included the Braves.
Kris Bryant trade rumors this offseason have frequently included the Braves. / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Braves acquiring both Bryant and Contreras would be both massive and unlikely, but this hypothetical blockbuster deal would be the kind to help them not just catch up with the Dodgers, but possibly overtake them. Both Bryant and Contreras have been linked to trade rumors and the Braves in the past, and given Atlanta's weaknesses at both third base and catcher, adding these two All-Star players would give the Braves one of the best lineups in all of the MLB. While this deal is a true long shot (let's be honest here), it would change the entire landscape of the National League. Atlanta's farm system is deep and talented -- if they wanted to go for broke, they could find a way to do it.