By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

I haven’t been this excited about Braves baseball in almost a decade. Heading into June, the Braves have to start thinking about a line-up upgrade at third base, starting pitcher and closer by the trading deadline.

The Braves just released Jose Bautista and will play Johan Camargo at third base for now. This move I feel is temporary and is not the long-term solution at the position for the Braves. So, who can the Braves go get at third base at the deadline?

How about Mike Moustakas from the Kansas City Royals? Moustakas tested the free agent market last winter and got a bad deal, coming off a 38-homer season only to settle for a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the team he expected move on from. The Royals won a World Series with Moustakas in 2015 so he knows the postseason grind and could be a calming presence in the locker room in a stretch run for the playoffs. T

he Royals are currently 19-36 and are going nowhere in the AL Central so it is time to rebuild that franchise. Moustakas is hitting .275 and has 11 HR’s and 35 RBI’s in 207 at bats this season. He turns 30 in September so he is in his prime.

The Braves farm system is loaded with talent and you could package Camargo and a young arm in the system to get him. Moustakas bats third in the Royals batting order and he could be plugged in anywhere from 4^th to 6^th in the Braves order and is a drastic power and production upgrade from Camargo.

I think the Braves can make this deal happen and Moustakas could be the solution for Atlanta at 3^rd for the next 3-5 years. Did I fail to mention that Moustakas is a two-time American League All-Star?

Josh Donaldson from Toronto could also be an option at 3^rd for Atlanta but I think Moustakas is a better and cheaper option. Donaldson makes $22 million a year and Moustakas makes $6.5 million.

At closer the Braves need help. Kelvin Herrera of the Kansas City Royals is the answer. The best closer sure to be available and his stock is high, with 11 saves and no walks in 19 2/3 innings. A 0.92 ERA with 17 strike outs and only one blown save in 21 appearances in 2018.

Can you really depend on Arodys Vizcaino down the stretch? Herrera is 28 years old. Vizcaíno for Herrera in a straight trade.

Immediate help in the rotation is Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers left handed quality starter. The Rangers are not going to pick up his $20 million option next year, which includes a large $6 million buyout and would love to unload him now.

Hamels, a four-time All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP, is 3-5 with a 3.74 ERA. He also has a postseason pedigree that would be perfect for any contender, especially in the National League.

Hamels could be the spark the rotation if the organization feels like they can win now. The 3.74 ERA on a bad Rangers team makes Hamels attractive at the trade deadline. At 34 years of age and 150 wins and 3.38 career ERA, Hamels still has plenty left in the tank. The Rangers are 12.5 games back and currently in last place behind the World Champion Astros in the AL West. It is time to clean house in Arlington. Braves could give up a couple of minor league prospects for Hamels.

As a fan, you would love to see the Braves address all three areas I have outlined above. If I had to prioritize the three areas of concern they would be:

Third Base/Starting Pitcher

Closer

This Braves team can win now with the right moves at the trading deadline. THIS SEASON!