With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Atlanta Braves have taken one of their biggest potential chips off of the table with an extension.
Though there was a possiblity that the Atlanta Braves, boasting the best record in baseball, would stand pat at the MLB Trade Deadline, that is looking less likely. With injuries to a bullpen that already arguably needed an upgrade starting to pile up, that seems like a need that must be addressed. An injury to Eddie Rosario could put them in the market for an outfielder too.
But if any of that is going to happen, then it won't be veteran catcher and designated hitter Travis d'Arnaud going on the move to get a trade done.
On Tuesday, the Braves agreed to a one-year extension with d'Arnaud worth $8 million, a deal that also includes a club option for the 2025 season at $8 million and has no buyout as well.
Braves extend Travis d'Arnaud, take possible trade chip off the table
Though d'Arnaud missed time early in the season after suffering a concussion, he's been a pivotal part of the Braves lineup, both because of his production and versatility. He gives Atlanta flexibility with Sean Murphy at catcher but also Marcell Ozuna at DH as well. And with him slashing .265/.338/.478 with eight homers, five doubles and 25 RBI in just 38 games, that's extremely valuable.
Having said that, the trade deadline offered the Braves a potential opportunity to float d'Arnaud as an asset for trade partners in need of catching help. Getting a plus-offensive catcher with a ton of experience and the aforementioned versatility would be quite enticing on the trade market.
Now, that's no longer in play. You could argue that the Braves are better keeping the bat and movability of d'Arnaud on the roster, which they clearly agree with.
Having said that, it makes it all the more likely that Atlanta could look to move the likes of prospects such as Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake, Dylan Dodd or Jared Shuster at the deadline if there's a trade the organization believes needs to be made to bring another World Series to the Braves.
