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.

For some reason it appears that the Braves are willing to deal 26-year old righty swinging shortstop Yunel Escobar but it just doesn’t make sense to me. He is the type of player that the Braves should be building around instead of moving. Escobar has played in 84 games for the Braves this season and he is 99 for 323 (.307 avg, .784 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 11 homers, 58 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has been one of the Braves’ best hitters this season and they should be looking for more offense instead of getting rid of what they already have.