In the offseason leading up to the 2023 season, the Braves may have finished making splashy moves, but they still have one more trade they can make to improve their club.
The rumored trade involving Miguel Rojas and the Atlanta Braves has the potential to be a good one for the team.
Apart from acquiring catcher Sean Murphy in a trade with Oakland, the Atlanta Braves haven’t made many significant moves this offseason. In typical Alex Anthopoulos fashion, they committed to the new player for the long haul, bolstering their talented young core.
The offseason has been relatively quiet in Atlanta, with the exception of the Murphy trade. After the Braves failed to reach an agreement with shortstop Dansby Swanson, he opted to leave the team. The club has also acquired veteran platoon members through trades and free agent signings, particularly in the outfield. The acquisition of Yankees relief pitcher Lucas Luetge was probably the next most significant move.
Although the Braves are not likely to be able to (or willing to) part with the assets necessary to acquire a player like Bryan Reynolds or another high-profile trade candidate and the team is not likely to find a trade partner for a player like Marcell Ozuna at the present time, there is one under-the-radar trade that could be beneficial to Atlanta’s 2023 campaign.
Swanson’s arrival in Chicago raises some questions about the Cubs’ shortstop situation, but it appears likely that either Orlando Arcia or Vaughn Grissom will start the season there. However, the lack of utility and middle infield depth has to be worrisome, especially in light of Ozzie Albies’ recent injury issues at second base.
That’s where the Marlins’ Miguel Rojas comes in handy. Here’s a rough outline of what a trade might look like, though it’s unclear what, if anything, Miami would be looking for.
As part of the deal, the Braves relieve themselves of Rosario’s salary, while the Marlins receive Burkhalter, a 22-year-old who played in High-A last season and is ranked as Atlanta’s No. 19 prospect for the 2022 season. At the same time, the Braves are able to fill a need and save money by acquiring Rojas in the final year of his contract.
Rojas is one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, despite the fact that he is not a great hitter (his OPS+ was only 72 last season). He has also played the positions of first baseman and third baseman. Given his adaptability, it stands to reason that he could also pick up second base. With Grissom, Arcia, and Albies already in the starting lineup, he would be an excellent addition to the defense as a depth player.
It’s a complete shot in the dark, but that swap actually makes a lot of sense. If the Marlins are willing to part with a prospect and an everyday player, the Braves would be able to improve their roster at low cost.
