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Braves called best landing spot for long-shot .761 OPS Astros shortstop trade target

Braves called best landing spot for long-shot .761 OPS Astros shortstop trade target originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are sitting atop the National League East and have a commanding lead over the Philadelphia Phillies and the rest of the division.

With how good this team has played this season, there aren't many issues they could look to resolve by the August 3 trade deadline. But, aside from another outfielder or a more stable designated hitter, the Braves should seriously explore shortstop upgrades.

This need led Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report to name the Braves as the best landing spot for a .761 OPS shortstop from the Houston Astros in Jeremy Pena. While it's a long shot, Pena would be the ideal trade pickup for Atlanta this summer.

Braves linked to Jeremy Pena as best landing spot for Astros star

"This might be the biggest long-shot on this list," Rymer writes. "A team with World Series aspirations deserves a better shortstop, and Pena is probably the best the Braves can feasibly get this summer."

Pena would be an incredible trade pickup for the Braves, though the odds of a deal are very small. Not only are the Astros trying to avoid selling in general, but Pena, under club control through the 2027 season, might not be made available this summer.

However, if Astros GM Dana Brown opens the door to a Pena trade, the Braves should strongly pursue the former All-Star and World Series MVP shortstop in a trade.

He has a .761 OPS this season along with a .281 batting average. His 113 OPS+ isn't terrible either, and with solid defense, Pena is the kind of player worth investing in.

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With Ha-Seong Kim being a major disappointment this season, and the big questions about the shortstop position for Atlanta so far this season, it would make sense for the Braves to add a star like Pena by the deadline this season.

This Braves team is fantastic, but they could use a little extra help to be World Series contenders with the Los Angeles Dodgers superteam, a tough team to overcome this fall.

Rymer named the Braves as the best landing spot for Pena this season, and it makes perfect sense for everyone involved. The Braves have the need and the resources to pull off a trade, Houston could get a huge return, and Pena could join a contender.