The Atlanta Braves could have all sorts of intriguing phone calls to field at this year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline.
After an 0-7 start to the year, the Braves have clawed their way back to .500 at 22-22. Any initial talks about them selling off stars like Marcell Ozuna have rightfully quieted, but there’s certainly still a chance they could trade a player off their big-league roster.
It’s been a long time since Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia has given the team any contributions at the plate. The 30-year-old was a surprise All-Star selection in 2023, but he slumped in the second half that year and his numbers have gone downhill ever since.
With top prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. waiting in the wings, Arcia may be a piece the Braves are willing to lose. And one baseball writer has a team in mind to send him to, a team with whom the Braves happen to have traded with a lot in the past.
On Thursday, ClutchPoints’ Zachary Howell named Arcia as an early speculative trade target for the Los Angeles Angels, whose infield is relatively short on talent. That would clear the way for the Braves to either start Alvarez or trade for a more established slugger.
“Arcia is a player whose team could be looking to sell to the highest bidder, and Los Angeles would jump at the opportunity,” Howell wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
“Zachary Neto already has the starting spot at shortstop, but he can push Yoan Moncada for time at third base. It’s all about finding the right fight for a player like Arcia, and the Angels could be a team that takes a chance on him.”
Arcia has already lost a significant amount of playing time, so it’s unclear how much trade value he has. In 13 games this season, he’s batting .194 with a .445 OPS/25 OPS+.
If the Angels want him, they can likely get him for a low-level prospect. And maybe a change of scenery would help him find some of the pop in his bat that made him one of the most forgotten All-Stars of the last few seasons.
More MLB: Cubs get encouraging Kyle Tucker extension update from MLB insider
