In a perfect world, the Braves would be able to deal for a new starting CF and a backup infielder who can handle playing 3B while Chipper Jones is out of action so that Martin Prado can return to LF. David DeJesus, B.J. Upton, Corey Patterson, Coco Crisp, Ryan Sweeney, Angel Pagan, Michael Bourn or Marlon Byrd would be nice upgrades in CF for the Braves. They are also looking at Carlos Beltran of the Mets, but it’s doubtful that he could handle playing CF defensively. Adam Kennedy, Omar Infante, Blake DeWitt, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carroll, Mike Aviles and Jeff Baker would be nice stopgap 3B who have the versatility to also help out at SS and 2B. A righty reliever with a good enough arm to pitch late in games is also a need for the Braves. Frank Francisco, Octavio Dotel, Jason Frasor, Jon Rauch, Koji Uehara, Michael Wuertz, Kerry Wood, Rafael Betancourt, Matt Lindstrom, Chad Qualls, Matt Guerrier, Mike Adams and Mike MacDougal would fit that requirement for the Braves. The Braves are in the lead in the Wild Card hunt, so they need to make moves to stay there or to overtake the Phillies in the A.L. East.

The Atlanta Braves could use a corner outfielder with power. I think a team like the Orioles would want quantity over quality in return for any of the veterans they have to deal. With that in mind I would offer 26-year old righty reliever Jesse Chavez, 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Gregor Blanco and 26-year old righty swinging shortstop Diory Hernandez to the O’s for Luke Scott. Scott has a ton of power and he can play average defense in LF. None of the guys I would give the Orioles are in the long range plans of the Braves but they would all likely get to play a lot with the Orioles.

The Braves are sitting atop of the N.L. East with a 48-35 record which has them 2 games up on the Mets. To stay atop of the N.L. East the Braves are going to have to add a outfielder with some legit power. The Braves should aim big though as this is Bobby Cox’ swan song in Atlanta. Corey Hart and Cody Ross should be the top two targets of the Braves. Jose Bautista, Luke Scott, David DeJesus and Jose Guillen would likely also be solid options for the Braves. They definitely have the firepower prospect wise to make a deal to give them a great chance at winning the N.L. East so they need to make it happen.

The Braves have to make a move for a power hitting LF to help the offense and they can’t afford to wait for the trade deadline in July. I like the idea of offering Melky Cabrera and lefty reliever Jonny Venters to the Orioles for Luke Scott. Scott would give the Braves another big power bat in the middle of the batting order. I think that Cabrera would have a better chance of finding his bat again in the A.L. of which he is more familiar. While I don’t like the idea of giving up Venters you almost never get something for nothing in the major leagues.

The Braves would like to make improvements at both RF and 1B while moving Derek Lowe. With that in mind it would make sense for the Braves to offer Derek Lowe and outfielder Gregor Blanco to the Rockies for Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins. Atkins might have had a poor year last season for the Rockies but he has been productive in recent years and he could also provide insurance at 3B in case Chipper Jones decides to retire. Brad Hawpe would bring a nice lefty bat with power to RF. Derek Lowe would probably pitch really well for the Rockies as his sinker would likely play well at Coors Field.