This week’s SB Nation Reacts poll asked fans to choose which Atlanta Braves pitcher deserved an All-Star selection the most. Veteran left-hander Chris Sale dominated the vote with 56%, while newcomer Reynaldo López secured 38%, and Max Fried trailed significantly in third place.
Both Sale and López stand a strong chance of being selected if they maintain their current performance levels. Fried, despite his low vote share, also has potential to enter the All-Star conversation, especially if he continues to perform well. His slow start to the season might have influenced the voting, but discounting those early games, his performance has been impressive. Sale, however, has clearly surpassed expectations for the Braves this season.
The national poll questions focused on the trade deadline. The first question asked who would be the top player available. White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. received 34% of the vote, closely followed by Mets first baseman Pete Alonso at 30%. Although Robert is a highly skilled player with team control, his limited playtime and the significant return the White Sox would demand make Alonso, a pending free agent, more likely to be traded. Alonso could greatly impact a playoff-contending team.
The second question inquired which team would initiate a fire sale first. The White Sox were the overwhelming choice at 64%, with the Mets second at 17%. Having already traded Dylan Cease, it appears the White Sox have already begun their sell-off.
