by Evan Joseph ‘23

Many thought that after this season’s trade deadline that the season was all but over when the Los Angeles Dodgers rounded out their superteam by adding Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals. The Atlanta Braves also made a handful of moves, but people didn’t think much of it because at the time the Braves were still second in their division with their best player Ronald Acuna Jr out for the year. A few months later and now the MLB has crowned the Atlanta Braves as this year’s world series champions, an outcome few expected.

Not having the flashiest roster has led many fans to question how the Braves even managed to beat star-filled teams like the Dodgers and Astros in the playoffs. Everyone knows the Braves normal stars like former MVP Freddie Freeman and young all stars Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies but the main contributing factor to the World Series run would be additions at the trade deadline like Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, and Adam Duvall. These three not only filled the missing spot for the Braves after the injury ofAcuna Jr but led the way for Atlanta during their conquest for a World Series victory.

Duvall was acquired from the division rival Marlins. Duvall made his biggest impact for the Braves during the regular season while Soler and Rosario did most of their spectacular play in the postseason. Duvall hit 16 home runs in his 55 games with the Braves and was solid in the playoffs as well.

Soler turned his entire season around after being traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Braves. Soler’s power hitting proved to be essential for the Braves and their World Series run.

Rosario over his career has been nothing more than a role player before this year’s playoff. He was traded from Cleveland to Atlanta for Pedro Sandoval who didn’t even make it to the end of the year with Cleveland before getting cut. Rosario hit a hot streak with the Braves at the perfect time and even won the ALCS MVP and was a star throughout the playoffs. Although he might not end with the most notable career, the name Eddie Rosario will stick with Braves fans forever.