{"id":70599,"date":"2025-07-23T08:01:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T08:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599"},"modified":"2025-07-23T08:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T08:01:26","slug":"mlb-trade-grades-braves-move-may-quietly-confirm-what-fans-fear-most","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599","title":{"rendered":"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"relative z-10\">\n<div class=\"article-intro mb-4 text-black font-group-large md:font-group-normal lg:font-group-large\">The Braves need all the cash they can get.<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"mb-0 md:mb-9 relative md:mx-10 md:mb-9\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden bg-lightGrey\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 1x,  \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 2x,\n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full\" title=\"Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_321,w_5177,h_2912\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/229\/01k0sky2wfh4ynw80r3q.jpg\" alt=\"Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves\" width=\"5177\" height=\"2912\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"ml-1 pb-2 mt-4 md:m-3 text-darkGrey font-group-tiny\">Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves | Todd Kirkland\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap justify-center lg:justify-normal\">\n<div class=\"flex lg:mr-4 lg:w-[calc(70%-3em)] max-w-full\"><main class=\"min-w-0 flex-1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"viewablity-block\">\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0and\u00a0Tampa Bay Rays\u00a0have linked up for a small trade a week prior to the deadline. Atlanta will sell off some assets at the deadline, especially those on expiring deals.<\/p>\n<p>This is bad news for fans of Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, the Braves shipped Stuart Fairchild, who was DFA&#8217;d earlier this week, to Tampa.<\/p>\n<p>In return, the Braves received an asset they seem to value most this year \u2013 cash considerations. This is the first trade Atlanta has made that included them dealing a major-league player elsewhere for money. For Braves fans not used to this mode of operation, they better get used to it.<\/p>\n<p>What makes the matter\u00a0all the more confusing\u00a0is that they took on Dane Dunning&#8217;s contract from the Texas Rangers just days ago.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">MLB trade grades: Stuart Fairchild dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays<\/h2>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Fairchild provides the Rays with some immediate outfield depth as they hold on for dear life in the AL Wild Card race. Tampa has a habit of reviving players who have failed elsewhere, essentially cashing in on affordable assets. This is how the Rays have always gone about their business.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0and\u00a0Tampa Bay Rays\u00a0have linked up for a small trade a week prior to the deadline. Atlanta will sell off some assets at the deadline, especially those on expiring deals. This is bad news for fans of Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, the Braves shipped Stuart Fairchild, who was DFA&#8217;d earlier this week, to Tampa.<\/p>\n<p>In return, the Braves received an asset they seem to value most this year \u2013 cash considerations. This is the first trade Atlanta has made that included them dealing a major-league player elsewhere for money. For Braves fans not used to this mode of operation, they better get used to it.<\/p>\n<p>What makes the matter\u00a0all the more confusing\u00a0is that they took on Dane Dunning&#8217;s contract from the Texas Rangers just days ago.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">However, what Braves fans should be watching isn&#8217;t just their current roster, but the luxury tax line. Atlanta is not above the tax, but they did pay a penalty late in 2024 and would rather not do so again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">This would explain why they&#8217;d clearing payroll and taking on any money they can in the process. Dealing Ozuna and Iglesias will only help matters, and perhaps free up some room to make a big move this winter.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Rays trade grade: B-<\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Braves trade grade: B<\/h3>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Why the Stuart Fairchild trade means more than Braves fans think<\/h2>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">At the same time, however, why are the Braves so afraid of the tax? Contenders like the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and more are willing to pay whatever it costs to win, even if they say otherwise publicly. Fairchild is a pawn in the Braves long-term outlook.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Atlanta does not have the same market issues as, say, the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers. These contenders are trying to win in spite of their lack of financial leeway in mid-market cities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">The Braves cover much of the south, with limited competition when it comes to rooting interest. Ownership ought to be doing just fine, especially considering how much they rake in from The Battery and games at Truist Park.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">What Braves fans fear most is an organization that uses finances as an excuse not to do everything in their power to contend. After acquiring Dunning earlier this week, the Braves plan is unclear, which is the last thing fans should want.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">What the Braves need heading into the next week is a clear deadline approach, and they don&#8217;t seem to have one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Braves need all the cash they can get. Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves | Todd Kirkland\/GettyImages The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0and\u00a0Tampa Bay Rays\u00a0have linked up for a small trade&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":70600,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Braves need all the cash they can get. Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves | Todd Kirkland\/GettyImages The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0and\u00a0Tampa Bay Rays\u00a0have linked up for a small trade...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"760\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"760\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599\",\"name\":\"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png\",\"width\":760,\"height\":760},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\",\"name\":\"MsThao\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MsThao\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA","og_description":"The Braves need all the cash they can get. Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves | Todd Kirkland\/GettyImages The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0and\u00a0Tampa Bay Rays\u00a0have linked up for a small trade...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":760,"height":760,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"MsThao","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MsThao","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599","name":"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png","datePublished":"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-23T08:01:26+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/3-68.png","width":760,"height":760},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=70599#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"MLB trade grades: Braves move may quietly confirm what fans fear most"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731","name":"MsThao","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MsThao"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70599","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=70599"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70599\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70601,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70599\/revisions\/70601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/70600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=70599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=70599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}