The Atlanta Braves are looking to upgrade their roster significantly this offseason. They’ve been connected to upgrades on the pitching staff, in the outfield, in the bullpen, and at shortstop.
But the biggest place they could use an upgrade, in my opinion, is in the outfield, especially as they await the return of superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Chicago White Sox are expected to trade their young star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. this winter. Robert is coming off a significant down year where he slashed .224/.278/.379 with 23 stolen bases and 19 doubles in 100 games. He also played good defense (1 OAA) in center field.
But, the Braves would be making this move in hopes that he can return to the player he was in 2023, the last time he was fully healthy. That year, Robert hit 36 doubles, 38 home runs and had an .857 OPS.
Here’s a deal that could send Robert to Atlanta as the ultimate outfield upgrade:
- Atlanta Braves receive Luis Robert Jr.
- Chicago White Sox receive: RHP Bryce Elder, SS Nacho Alvarez Jr. (No. 4 prospect), 3B/1B David McCabe (No. 13 prospect)
Robert to the Braves makes sense. He’s under contract in 2025 for $15 million and he has club options in 2026 and 2027 for $20 million each season. The Braves would control him for the next three years through the middle of his prime.
Bryce Elder is somebody Atlanta needs to move. He was excellent in 2023 but unplayable in 2024. He desperately needs a change of scenery after posting a 6.52 ERA this year.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. and David McCabe fit more what the White Sox want. They’re both young position players that could end up with the White Sox by the end of the year.
In this deal, the White Sox could expect both Elder and Alvarez to end up on the big league roster by opening day. McCabe, 24, may need more time as he tries to bounce back from a horrible 2024 season.
