Trade deadline season is here in Major League Baseball, and some teams have already started moving some players.  The Cubs have traded a few pitchers, and more teams figure to be sellers at the deadline to try and restock their organization with young talent.  The Braves have solidified themselves as a postseason contender this year by building up the biggest divisional lead in baseball, with a six and a half game lead over the Nationals in the NL East.  The question is, do the Braves need to make a move before the trade deadline to hold off the Nationals, and go deep in the postseason?

I think the Braves are pretty set in their lineup, and even though their outfield isn’t producing quite like they imagined in the preseason, I don’t think they are in a situation where they want to trade for an outfielder.  If they feel like a change needs to be made in the starting outfield, they should like their options off the bench of Evan Gattis or Jordan Schafer.  The Braves’ rotation is comparable with the best in baseball, so they won’t be looking to upgrade there.  So what we’re really looking at is, do the Braves need to add a reliever for the playoffs?  The Braves bullpen was thought to be one of the best in the Majors before they were decimated with injuries early this season.  Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty have both been great pitchers for the strong Atlanta bullpen over the last few seasons, but both suffered injuries which required season-ending Tommy John surgery in May of this season.  Craig Kimbrel has continued to pitch well in the closer role for the Braves, and the offseason trade of Tommy Hanson for Jordan Walden is looking like a smart one, so the cupboard isn’t exactly bare in the Atlanta bullpen.

One option the Braves have to solve their bullpen injury woes is to hold off until the postseason, and move to a four-man rotation and move one of their starters into the bullpen for the remainder of the playoffs.  Paul Maholm could be a candidate to join the bullpen for the playoffs if the Braves were to go that route, which would add a lefty to the bullpen staff.  If the Braves were to go out and trade for a reliever they would have a few options.  Kevin Gregg would probably be available since the Cubs are already moving players.  If Jesse Crain’s shoulder turns out to be a non-issue the Braves could try and make a move for him.  The Angels also have some nice bullpen options, and for a team who might be looking to rebuild but don’t have a lot of tradable commodities, they might take advantage of a team willing to overpay for a reliever at the deadline.  While inter-division trades are less likely, it might be time for the Phillies and Jonathan Papelbon to part ways, and Atlanta could try and trade for him as well.

The Braves have some options if they don’t want to lose a prospect to get a reliever, but I think they will try to make a move to strengthen their bullpen as much as possible for a strong playoff run.  Look for the Braves to be a popular subject of trade rumors over the next few weeks.