MLB analyst and host on the BLEAV Network, Casey Stern, joined Dukes & Bell to talk about the upcoming MLB trade deadline and what the Braves options are to replace Gold Glove outfielder Adam Duvall in left field?
When asked about if David Peralta was a realistic option for Braves.
“Peralta is a guy outside of when he’s been injury prone over the course of his career has always been successful and he’s a good left-handed bat, which obviously they need and I think would help,” Stern said. “I think he’s available. The amounts of how much somebody is available all depends on what you’re willing to give in terms of value, so as we count down here from seven days all of a sudden the leverage will disappear from sellers like the team he’s on now in Arizona. And it’ll go more to the favor of the buyers, because eventually once that deadline hits you’re stuck with the player.”
Stern talked about why Andrew Benintendi could be an option.
“Another guy to watch is Andrew Benintendi," Stern said. "The thing with Benintendi, who I think would be a really valuable asset for a lot of teams, the Yankees in the American League East, the Braves are just two that come to mind. The thing that comes with him is whether or not he’s going to change his look with vaccinations. If perhaps he gets a deal, for example with the Yankees, one of the things they would have to look at is games against Toronto, where he can’t currently go play in Canada, who they face in September and the postseason. It’s not as big of a deal for teams in the National League though, so the Braves I think for a Benintendi are a team to watch.”
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Stern mentioned Ian Happ’s versatility being something that could help the Braves down the stretch.
“I like Happ," Stern said. "The other thing about Happ too is versatility. It’s so hugely important when you get down into the postseason because the importance of matchups and the fact that with the shift and the way the game is now everybody is so obsessed late in games. Managers are, whether it’s Snit or anybody across the board, about lefty-lefty and all these different matchups. To have guys that let’s say you could start in left field and you can move around, put in center, put in second base if need be in a pinch, those guys are extremely valuable. So I think Happ is one to look at for the Braves.”