Per The Athletic, Vaughn Grissom is the most likely Atlanta Braves player to be traded at the deadline. Who can Grissom help the front office acquire?
Prior to spring training, Vaughn Grissom was seen as the likely heir-apparent to Dansby Swanson in Atlanta. Swanson signed with the Chicago Cubs for a contract that was out of the Braves price range. After working out with Ron Washington all offseason to improve his defense at shortstop, it only seemed like a matter of time before Grissom filled the void.
However, it wasn't meant to be. Grissom struggled defensively in spring training, and started the season in the minors. When he was called up, even his bat didn't fully translate to the major-league level, which was in stark contrast to last year.
At the trade deadline, Grissom is expected to be floated as a potential trade asset for a relief arm, starting pitching help, or a corner outfielder. Orlando Arcia has taken over admirably at shortstop, making the NL All-Star team. For some team, perhaps Grissom can find a home. But that team is not Atlanta. The Athletic's Sam Blum, C. Trent Rosecrans and Cody Stavenhagen suggested Grissom could be traded by next Tuesday:
"Seen as a possible replacement for Dansby Swanson at one point, Grissom has fallen behind both veteran Orlando Arcia and fellow prospect Braden Shewmake in the pecking order. He's also, obviously, behind Ozzie Albies. Grissom played second for an injured Albies last season and put up a 118 OPS+ in 41 games. He struggled in his big-league stint this year but is thriving at Triple A."
With that in mind, where might Grissom end up? Let's theorize.
Atlanta Braves trade target: Adam Duvall
It's become clear that the Braves prioritize a reunion with Adam Duvall, who currently plays for the Boston Red Sox. While Boston would prefer some pitching back in return, perhaps Grissom can help lessen the load a bit.
Grissom can play shortstop or second base, where Boston currently has a bit of a roster hole as they await the return of Trevor Story, and the eventual call-up of Marcelo Mayer.
Grissom is young enough to make an impact on this Red Sox team, and provides a big bat that can help in a postseason push.
As FanSided's Robert Murray suggested on Monday, Duvall makes sense as a fit for the Braves:
"The Braves could use more veteran outfield depth and Duvall would make an ideal platoon partner with Eddie Rosario in left field. Duvall's versatility could also allow the team to give days off to Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. to ensure that they are fresh for the postseason."
Atlanta Braves trade target: Michael Fulmer
With Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson as middle infielders, the Cubs would have to find another home for Vaughn Grissom in this trade. Grissom was floated as a potential corner outfielder prior to the season, and should the Cubs trade away Cody Bellinger, he could fit in that role on the north side of Chicago.
Fulmer makes a lot of sense in Atlanta for several reasons. First, he's been a shutdown reliever since late May. Second, he has postseason experience. The Braves need both of those things, and while they just traded for two power arms, Atlanta doesn't yet have too many players they can trust in the back end of their bullpen. David O'Brien and Jim Bowden identified Fulmer as a fit this week:
"Fulmer is an impending free agent who's on a one-year, $4 million contract. After posting a 7.84 ERA in 23 appearances through May 27, Fulmer has a 1.50 ERA in his past 21 outings, holding opponents to a .169 average and .568 OPS with 24 strikeouts, 13 walks and two homers in 24 innings."
It's unclear if Grissom for Fulmer as a straight-up trade would work, but one would assume that as one of the Braves more valuable trade assets, Grissom should be the primary piece involved.
Atlanta Braves trade target: Lance Lynn or Lucas Giolito
While the Braves are expected to get Max Fried and Kyle Wright back in relatively short order, they have been out for the majority of the season. Injuries can be unpredictable, so it's unknown exactly how they'll perform when they come back tom the big leagues.
Lynn has been shopped around baseball and has a year left on his deal. Some teams view Lynn as a better relief target because of his swing-and-miss potential. Lynn has given up a surprising amount of home runs this season, so it makes less sense to ask him to take on a huge workload as a starting pitcher.
Lucas Giolito, meanwhile, is the better of the two pitchers but a rental. Giolito could slide right into the Braves rotation and perhaps even compete for a spot in the postseason rotation, should he perform well in Atlanta.
Grissom would help aid Atlanta's return, considering they don't need him with Arcia's emergence at shortstop. Chicago is also shopping Tim Anderson elsewhere, so Grissom would have an immediate home on a team building for the future.
