3 Upgrades Atlanta has yet to repeat themselves as World Series champions

DENVER, CO – JUNE 3: Max Fried #54 of the Atlanta Braves looks on as he takes on the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on June 3, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

To repeat as a World Series champion, the Atlanta Braves need these three upgrades.

That Atlanta Braves has won 14 straight games and is now just a few games away from taking the New York Mets atop the National League East. Their mission isn’t just to capture their division enemies. They have won many National League East titles over the years. A championship is what they often alluded to.

That wasn’t the case last year when the Braves roared through the division in late 2021. The momentum built in the regular season carried into the postseason with their first championship since 1995.

To repeat themselves as champions, the Braves must once again use the trade deadline to their advantage. These three upgrades could go a long way in helping them reset.

1) The Braves need a starting pitcher upgrade

The Braves can’t hold onto hope that Mike Soroka will return and be effective for them this year. It would be great if he comes back and helps them. Relying on him could be a fatal mistake.

The team has seen solid performances from Max Fried and Kyle Wright throughout the 2022 season. Spencer Strider stepped up and helped give them an answer behind these two.

Unfortunately, Ian Anderson and Charlie Morton were mostly mediocre, if not worse. Knowing that a single injury could leave them clawing and clawing for answers in the rotation, it’s important that the Braves look to add another starter by deadline day.

Who should the Braves target? You could be chasing a veteran like Martin Perez, whose left arm excelled with the Texas Rangers in 2022. Since he’s only on loan, the Braves wouldn’t have to worry about a roster crunch going forward. His presence would throw someone back in the bullpen. Strider could be an option later this year to save him from hitting an innings limit the organization may have for him.

Whether it’s Perez or someone with a stronger pedigree, the team needs to target a more reliable third starter for the rotation. It’s hard to win a championship if you don’t have at least three starters that you can rely on. Right now, the Braves have three and one rookie who needs to make more than four starts to be fully trusted.