It’s time for the Atlanta Braves to find a replacement for former standout shortstop Orlando Arcia. While Arcia had a solid 2023 season, slashing .264/.321/.420, that year has been an outlier in his recent performance. Last season, he struggled significantly, and this spring training has been even worse. In 28 at-bats, Arcia has managed just two hits, both singles.
The Braves could look to the Boston Red Sox for a solution. Boston’s infield is crowded with talent, and they might consider trading shortstop Trevor Story to make room for top prospect Marcelo Mayer, who has been impressive this spring with an OPS near 1.000. Mayer is also a more cost-effective option compared to Story.
Trading Story would be a gamble for the Red Sox, as Mayer’s readiness for the majors isn’t guaranteed. However, some might argue that Story’s frequent injuries since joining Boston make him less of a loss if traded. If Mayer isn’t ready, the Red Sox could manage as they did last season when Story was sidelined.
Acquiring Story would likely require the Braves to part with top prospects, such as pitcher Hurston Waldrep and infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. While the cost would be high, upgrading at shortstop could be crucial for Atlanta to compete with powerhouses like the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League.
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