1 hypothetical trade each NL East team should make

While the coronavirus pandemic has caused MLB to institute a roster freeze, theScore editors have dreamed up one hypothetical trade each team should make once business gets back to normal. Here is the NL East.

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Atlanta Braves

This would be a franchise-altering move for both clubs.

It's not every day that a superstar in his prime gets traded, and Bryant certainly fits that billing. The 28-year-old is a three-time All-Star with a career .901 OPS, and he would complement an already solid Braves core. Atlanta's bolstered lineup and revamped bullpen could give the team a shot to represent the Senior Circuit in the World Series. The club has set itself up very well financially, and the Braves could make a significant long-term extension offer to Bryant.

The Cubs are going to get a big haul in return for giving up two years of Bryant's services, and some much-needed salary relief. Pache, 21, is the 14th-ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He's projected to arrive in 2020 and could make an immediate impact. Wright is the Braves' second-best hurler in the minors and would instantly become Chicago's top pitching prospect.

Camargo, meanwhile, slides into Bryant's vacant spot at third base. The 26-year-old Panamanian was on his way to becoming a solid everyday player before Josh Donaldson stole his starting job in 2019.

Philadelphia Phillies

There will be doubts about whether Blackmon can hit away from Coors Field (career wRC+ of 98 on the road), but Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia isn't exactly known for suppressing power. Adding him as a left-handed bat would give a more balanced look to the Phillies' offense, and he'd be the best leadoff option available.

Gray, meanwhile, has shown an expert ability to strike opponents out, and his overall numbers have suffered because of the Coors bump. Both Gray and Blackmon have extra years of control on their contracts, so the Phillies wouldn't be scrambling next offseason.

For the Rockies, it will hurt to lose Blackmon, but moving the $60-plus million left on his contract helps Colorado going forward. Dealing Blackmon would assist in restocking around Nolan Arenado, and it could free up money for a potential Trevor Story extension. Haseley and Pivetta are both major-league ready, while Grullon is a strong-hitting catching prospect who could make the leap in 2020, filling a prominent void for the Rockies.

Washington Nationals

Two recent first-rounders may seem like an overpay for a reliever on an expiring contract, but it makes sense for the Nationals.

Giles would make what has historically been the shakiest part of Washington's roster suddenly its strongest. Adding Giles to a bullpen featuring Daniel Hudson, Sean Doolittle, Will Harris, and Tanner Rainey would give the Nationals the lockdown relief corps they've been so desperately seeking. And the move would provide added insurance in case of injury. The team should pursue an upgrade at third base, but it seems unlikely the Nationals will possess the required pieces to nab Arenado or Bryant.

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro recently said his club's biggest need is "pitching, pitching, and more pitching." Here, he would add a pair of former top picks from the Nationals' system to further restock his organization's prospect cupboard.

While Rutledge and Romero are among the Nationals' top young arms, neither is listed in MLB Pipeline's top 100. Romero missed 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery, though he was punching out over 12 batters per nine innings before suffering the injury. Rutledge, last year's 17th overall pick, just turned 21, and he comes with considerable upside and a dynamite fastball.

While Giles would be a fine piece in Toronto's bullpen going forward, the team was openly shopping him in 2019 before he was briefly injured. It doesn't appear an extension is in the cards for him, so a trade is expected.

New York Mets

The Mets' aspirations of winning the NL East took a major blow when Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in March. New York needs to find another starter, as there are several question marks after ace Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman.

The versatile Stripling could be the answer after posting a 3.47 ERA last season in 32 games (15 starts) with the Dodgers. The 30-year-old righty would finally receive a chance to be a full-time starter after being a victim of Los Angeles' immense pitching depth.

Coming back to Hollywood is the Mets' third-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The Dodgers are set at shortstop and second base with Corey Seager and Gavin Lux, but Gimenez would give the team depth in the minors should it look to acquire another star for a championship run.

Miami Marlins

The Angels are an ideal trade partner for a number of teams after their deal with the Dodgers for Stripling and Joc Pederson fell through. They still need a lefty bat and rotation depth, and the Marlins have the Angels' plan B covered.

Dickerson has been consistent at every stop after jumping around a lot. He's hit .293/.330/.499 with 52 home runs over his last three seasons split between the Rays, Pirates, and Phillies. He also signed a two-year deal with the Marlins, making him slightly more appealing to the Angels since he's not simply a rental.

There's also another year of control remaining on Urena's contract after 2020, and while he isn't the superstar hurler the Angels would like to add, the Dominican did post a 3.90 ERA over 343 2/3 innings between 2017-18. His low K-rate is a little concerning, but the acquisition cost isn't backbreaking.

Fletcher is an underrated piece, and while he doesn't address Miami's need for power, he brings position versatility and might slot in as a top-of-the-order bat if his .290 batting average in 653 plate appearances in 2019 is the 25-year-old's norm. He'd also get a chance to start instead of being the super-utility player he's likely to become in Anaheim.

Stallings, meanwhile, is a former fifth-round pick, and a lottery ticket who could be a rotation piece down the road.