Atlanta Braves could target Brent Rooker after losing Acuña

For the second time in four years, the Atlanta Braves lost star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL.

Acuña, the reigning National League MVP, was injured in Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates while preparing to steal third base. The 26-year-old outfielder tore his left ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, marking the All-Star’s second season-ending injury since the 2021 season (right ACL tear).

As Atlanta attempts to overcome the loss of Acuña, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi shared a few names that could land on the Braves’ radar if internal candidates don’t pan out.

One notable player mentioned by Morosi: Oakland Athletics outfielder and 2023 All-Star talent Brent Rooker.

“Although I’m told right now they’re going to stay in-house…I would expect at some point an outfielder will come to Atlanta.”@jonmorosi on how the Braves will deal with the injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. and a few outfielders expected to be available at the trade deadline ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cfFwFiE1NP

– MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 28, 2024

“There is no way to replace Ronald Acuña Jr. with one player or maybe even two players, because it’s just not the right piece on the field, it’s the starting piece (and) the 40 home run, 70 stolen base piece from a year ago.

“So the point I want to make here is the Braves lost Acuña in 2021 right before the (2021) MLB All-Star Game, they acquired four outfielders over the next two weeks and they won the World Series “, concluded Morosi. “Even though I’m told right now that they’re going to stay in-house, I would expect that at some point an outfielder will come to Atlanta, Georgia.”

Jon Morosi of MLB Network – May 28, 2024

Learn more about A’s outfielder Brent Rooker

While the budget Athletics (23-33) are off to a much better start in 2024 (they were 11-45 in 56 games a year ago), the impact players on the move are still on the table for this franchise.

Reports indicate that Oakland will retain reliever Mason Miller after the July 30 MLB trade deadline, but Rooker could be a player to watch as we move forward in the regular season.

Rooker, who turns 30 in November, could be a trade candidate if the A’s prioritize younger options like Denzel Clarke (No. 3 prospect) and Colby Thomas (No. 12 prospect) as both players move up the ranks. minor league levels.

Trading Rooker would sting for Oakland’s offense, especially when you look at the veteran’s numbers:

11 home runs (tied for team lead)
34 RBIs (leads the team)
.280 AVG (second on team)
.365 OBP (leads team)
.554 SLG (leads team)
.919 OPS (leads team)

Rooker is the A’s best hitter and could be their biggest trade asset if they choose to add more prospects to their farm system – a common trend over the past few years, especially in deals with the Braves (Matt Olson and Sean Murphy).

Could Oakland choose to keep Rooker, who is under contract through 2027? We’ll know for sure on July 30, but expect teams to show interest in the right-handed slugger until the deadline passes.