Atlanta Braves: Grading Each Move Made at the Trade Deadline

The MLB trade deadline is one of the biggest times of the year for contending teams. Did Alex Anthopoulos do enough to help the Atlanta Braves repeat as World Series champions? 

Nothing will ever surpass what Alex Anthopoulos was able to do at the 2021 trade deadline for the Atlanta Braves acquiring four struggling bats and then watching them all become a big part of a World Series champion.

But that’s really been the strategy at every trade deadline for Alex Anthopoulos — get players that nobody is talking about who have been good in the past and hope they catch lightning in a bottle.

He’s yet to really make any huge move at any deadline giving up a ton of prospects.

That was certainly the strategy at this year’s deadline and one that hopefully continues to pay off.

Braves Trade Kris Anglin for Robbie Grossman

Grade: B-

If this would have been made a year ago when Robbe Grossman was having a breakout campaign, this probably gets an A+ grade.

But Grossman has really struggled in 2022 with an OPS+ of 73. Still, he’s hitting .364 with a .999 OPS against lefties making him a great platoon partner in left field with Eddie Rosario.

Braves Trade Trey Harris for Ehire Adrianza

Grade: C

While Ehire Adrianza is an upgrade over Robinson Cano and possibly Phil Gosselin, there were better bench targets out there.

His versatility is his best attribute as he can play third, short, and second — but that’s about the only value he brings.

Braves Trade Will Smith for Jake Odorizzi

 Grade: B

This was a very savvy trade by AA moving an expensive piece who had fallen out of favor in the Braves bullpen, while getting a piece back in Jake Odorizzi who could play a big role down the stretch.

Odorizzi has been a solid third or fourth starter throughout his career. Especially over the next couple of weeks with a pair of double-headers, he’ll be extremely valuable.

If Ian Anderson doesn’t turn things around, he could fill that fifth spot in the rotation.

Odorizzi isn’t likely to start a postseason game for the Braves, but the role he’ll play down the stretch in the regular season could pay huge dividends.

Braves Trade Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson for Raisel Iglesias

Grade: A

One of the biggest needs at the deadline was getting a high-leverage right-handed reliever, and AA got one of the best in the game in Iglesias.

Some will look at his ERA for this year and scratch their heads, but he doesn’t walk a ton of batters and he strikes a lot of them out.

That’s exactly what the type of pitcher you’re looking for coming out of the bullpen in a tight postseason game.

And to get him, the Braves gave up a veteran reliever in Chavez and a backend starter in Davidson.

The only reason I don’t give this trade an A+ is because he is owed a lot of money over the next three seasons.

Braves Overall Trade Deadline Grade

Grade: B+

In terms of taking care of the team’s needs at the deadline, Alex Anthopoulos did a good job.

He found a platoon bat to replace Adam Duvall. It’s hard to know what all was available, but you wish this would have been somebody having a better season than Grossman.

AA was able to find a high-leverage reliever at the last moment in Iglesias.

And he was able to add some depth to the rotation and bench with Odorizzi and Adrianza.

Again, I wish he could have gotten someone better for the bench than Adrianza.

With the final pieces intact, this team is now ready to go out and try to win the NL East and repeat as World Series champions.