The Braves are reportedly interested in trading for Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall for a possible reunion, but not before Duvall broke Atlanta's heart.
Of the many possible moves that the Atlanta Braves could make at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, one that has been persistent has been the possibility of reuniting with current Boston Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall, who spent time in Atlanta from 2018-22. Atlanta's interest was recently reported by Sean McAdam of Mass Live.
But before the trade deadline that's less than a week away, Duvall and the Red Sox hosted the Braves at Fenway Park for a second two-game series on the season. And the outfielder gave his former team and potentially new team a glimpse of what they could be getting at the deadline — while simultaneously punching them in the gut.
Duvall, who had struck out in each of his three previous at-bats on Wednesday night, came to the plate in the eighth inning with Boston up 4-3. He then took Kirby Yates deep with a 391-foot bomb to right-center field to give the Red Sox an extra cushion and potentially complete the sweep for Boston.
Braves trade target Adam Duvall twists knife with home run for Red Sox
That's no way to treat the team that you might be joining in the next week.
Duvall was a monster to start the season for the Red Sox, posting a 1.669 OPS to start the month of April as he mased four home runs, five doubles and a triple with 13 RBI over 32 plate appearances. Unfortunately, the oft-injured slugger then suffered a fractured wrist that kept him out until June.
Since returning, he's not been able to fully recapture the hot streak he was on. Even still, Duvall has posted an .840 OPS on the season and the 34-year-old veteran is clearly an asset to any lineup. That's especially relevant for a Braves team that is potentially looking for a right-handed bat with more pop to platoon with Eddie Rosario in left field.
With the Red Sox taking these two games from the Braves, however, Boston has been able to continue their climb in the AL Wild Card standings. As such, they might be less inclined to deal the veteran slugger. Then again, the Sox have a glut of outfielders and could sacrifice that in order to bolster the farm system or even their current big-league roster.
As with all things trades, we'll have to wait and see what transpires. For now, though, Duvall is hurting the Braves before he potentially tries to help them.