Before the 2024 season, should the Atlanta Braves make this trade?
In baseball, the Atlanta Braves had the best record in 2023. Even though they didn’t make it to the postseason, Atlanta is optimistic about 2024. It will be difficult to compete for a World Series spot, though, particularly in light of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ successful summer.
It seems unlikely that Atlanta will realistically make a trade before the 2024 campaign begins. It’s not an impractical idea, though. The Braves already have a strong lineup. Despite his talent, the pitcher might use one or two more arms. Atlanta could consider trading for two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians.
Braves crazy trade: acquire Emmanuel Clase and Shane Bieber from Guardians
Prospect rankings courtesy of MLB.com.
The following are acquired by the Guardians: OF Luis Guanipa (Braves 2023 No. 10 prospect), INF Ignacio Alvarez (Braves 2023 No. 7 prospect), RHP Hurston Waldrep (Braves 2023 No. 2 prospect), OF Luke Williams
RHPs Shane Bieber and Emanuel Clase are acquired by the Braves.
Bieber and Clase were both mentioned in trade rumors throughout the offseason. Neither have been traded and recent rumors have suggested that Cleveland will hold onto both hurlers to begin the 2024 season. The Braves may be able to entice the Guardians with this trade offer, however.
The Guardians may ask for Braves 2023 No. 1 overall prospect AJ Smith Shawver in this deal. The chances of Atlanta trading him away are slim, though. Bieber is only under contract for one more season, so dealing him away in this deal would be risky.
Waldrep, though, was the Braves No. 2 overall prospect in 2023 and he features a high-ceiling. His fastball and splitter are his best pitches and Cleveland loves to draft/acquire young pitchers and develop them.
The Guardians’ primary needs are on offense, though. Trading for Alvarez and Guanipa would give the Guardians two position players with potential.
Alvarez can play shortstop and third base and has the tools to find success as a contact hitter in the big leagues. Guanipa is a good athlete who has power potential. Cleveland has desperately needed outfield help for a while, so adding Guanipa makes a lot of sense.
However, neither Alvarez or Guanipa will be ready for the MLB team in 2024. So acquiring utility man Luke Williams, who can play outfield, would help the 2024 Guardians. He isn’t a star by any means, but Williams is capable of moving around the diamond and he offers veteran prowess.
But is this trade worth it for the Braves?
Shane Bieber is a former Cy Young winner
Bieber, 28, made his first All-Star team in 2019 and later won the 2020 American League Cy Young award. The Guardians ace enjoyed another stellar season in 2021 and ultimately made his second All-Star team.
Despite performing well, he was not chosen for the All-Star team in 2022. But in 2023, he struggled with injuries, and his effectiveness on the mound suffered. Bieber’s debut season in 2018 was the only other season in which he recorded an ERA higher than 3.28. But in 21 outings in 2023, Bieber threw to a 3.80 ERA.
However, there are still grounds for optimism with Bieber. As previously indicated, his inconsistent 2023 performance was partly due to injuries. Additionally, he is only 28 years old, so declining shouldn’t be a problem.
The main worry in obtaining Bieber is that he will soon become a free agent. In the unlikely event that the two-time All-Star’s contract was extended by the Braves, he might only play in one season.
The fact that Atlanta already has a strong rotation is another important consideration. The leaders of the charge will be Max Fried and Spencer Strider. This summer, the Braves also added veteran Chris Sale to their roster. In 2024, more rotation candidates include AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton.
Still, there’s never been too much starting pitching. It would undoubtedly be possible for the Braves to pull it off, even if it meant inserting one of their starters into the bullpen.
Emmanuel Clase is one of MLB’s best closers
Clase holds even more value than Bieber because he is only 25 years old and is under contract through 2028 (club options in 2027 and 2028). He’s also made the All-Star team in back-to-back years. Additionally, Clase led the league in saves in both of those seasons.
The Braves bullpen is also already talented. Raisel Iglesias is a quality closing option, but he is not as dominant as Clase. Moving Iglesias to the 8th inning and turning the ball over to Clase in the 9th would make this Atlanta bullpen among the best in all of baseball.
Clase has been linked to a number of different teams in trade rumors. There isn’t a ball club in the big leagues that wouldn’t be interested in adding a star closer with multiple years of team control remaining.
Will the Braves and Guardians actually make this trade?
With spring training set to begin soon, the realistic odds of this trade coming to fruition are slim. But as stated before, it is not out of the question. Perhaps Atlanta and Cleveland will engage in trade talks at some point.
If the Braves do have interest in Clase and Bieber, our proposed deal could get a deal done.
