The Atlanta Braves are eight games back of a wild card spot entering play on Monday. However, Alex Anthopoulos has remained adamant that the team will not be sellers.
"I expect us to be better. ... We are not selling," Anthopoulos said on "Cellini and Dimino." "(We) want to be in a position to add at the trade deadline."
It will take a drastic turnaround for the Braves to put themselves in the postseason. They have no shortage of star players, but the results have not been there. With Chris Sale now on the injured list with a rib injury, the path to the postseason has gotten even tougher. If the Braves are serious about making a late push, they may need to trade for more starting pitching help.
CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson tabbed Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins as a target for the Braves at the trade deadline. Cabrera is a player who could figure into the Braves' future in case the team does not make the postseason. The Marlins are just a half-game back of the Braves in the standings, but they figure to be sellers.
"His command isn't great and he's never even thrown 100 innings in a big-league season (he finished an out short a few years back), but I think there's enough intrigue here for the Marlins to fetch a quality return if they pursue a trade," wrote Anderson.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
Cabrera has a 3.78 ERA this year in 13 starts. He has struggled with injuries, but he could be a player whom the Braves can develop into a quality starter. He still has three more seasons of club control. His career ERA is 4.22, but he has shown flashes of being a solid player. With Sale out, Cabrera could fill a need in the rotation, and potentially help the Braves make a postseason push.
At worst, he could be a part of the puzzle next season. Sale has an $18 million club option, and if the Braves like what they see in Cabrera, they may consider moving on from Sale, who will be 37 next year. Any trades the Braves make this year will be desperation moves to try and turn their slim postseason odds into reality.
More MLB: Yankees urged to replace Anthony Volpe with rival All-Star