Former MLB GM suggests Atlanta trade for OF Adam Duvall and/or SP Lance Lynn

Boston receives: RH reliever Dereck Rodríguez, prospects 2B/3B Geraldo Quintero & C Drake Baldwin

Reasoning: RHH left field option, backup for Michael Harris II in centerfield (plus the obvious chemistry fit)

Our take: It's hard for Atlanta to think about sending out a reliever when they're hurting for bullpen arms, but Rodríguez was recently DFA'd when Atlanta brought in two relievers on Monday. The fit works, but the question becomes one of roster construction - they like Forrest Wall as a pinch-running option (we saw against the Brewers, where he stole two bases in two pitches, that he's a legitimate threat out there) and so you're stuck either sacrificing that OR losing Kevin Pillar until rosters expand in September. This doesn't really feel like it moves the needle for me, so I'd probably pass.  

Cost: RHP Dereck Rodríguez and prospect RHP Seth Keller

Rationale: Veteran presence, can eat innings, Atlanta's pitching development can probably "fix" him, Braves aren't one of the ten teams on his no-trade clause

Our take: If we're moving a reliever, I'm okay with it being for another arm. He could answer that 5th starter question for the last two months of the season, and he's not very far removed from a < 3.5 ERA. He's also pitched well recently, with 53 strikeouts in his past 37.2 innings over six starts (with two 10+ strikeout games).

Digging deeper, he's been as effective as ever against righties & his strikeout rate is up. The things skyrocketing his ERA are lefties and homers. His HR/FB rate is 20.3%, almost twice what the major league average is (12%). 

The issue, and Bowden alludes to this, is he probably doesn't make Atlanta's postseason roster. You're taking on a LOT of salary - he's making $18.5M this year, so the prorated portion of that is around $5M - for two months of a 5th starter. I could see it happening, but it's not my preferred route to go, especially if it causes luxury tax implications down the line.  

Cost: RHP Dereck Rodríguez, prospect C Blake Baldwin 

Rationale: Cost (1yr/$4M deal)

Our take: This seems easy. Fulmer started the year rough, but has turned it on over the last month plus, with a 1.50 ERA in his last 21 outings (24 innings), with 24 strikeouts and a batting average allowed of only .169. 

Cost: SS Braden Shewmake OR prospect RHP Seth Keller and C Drake Baldwin

Rationale: He's been fantastic (despite pitching half his games in Coors Field) and he's a lefty

Our take: This feels like a good plan if you can do it without trading Braden Shewmake - he's your primary minor league backup at shortstop and feels destined to be the next Charlie Culberson. Suter's been excellent, though - 2.62 ERA with 99th percentile exit velo and hard-hit rates. He's only 33, so he could be re-signed, as well. It'd hurt to lose Shewmake, but if Atlanta could make the deal without including Braden, I'd go out to Colorado and bring Suter back myself.