After weeks of silence, it’s safe to say that action has picked up around MLB with trades running rampant. Randy Arozarena is the biggest name that has been involved in a deal thus far, but when it comes to the Atlanta Braves, a different deal that went down stung more.
The Baltimore Orioles acquired Zach Eflin for a package that looks pretty beatable on paper. Sure, the Rays have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to trade-making, but Eflin made so much sense for the Braves for numerous reasons.
He has experience in the NL East, has an extra year of control, and his advanced metrics suggest a big second half could be in play. Eflin was far from a make-or-break situation for Atlanta, but he was one of the best and most realistic options for Alex Anthopoulos to consider. Now, it’s time for Anthopoulos to pivot before other starters continue to fly off the board. for Atlanta, but he was among Alex Anthopoulos’s best and most practical possibilities. Anthopoulos needs to change course now before more starters start scoring freely.
4. The Braves should look into the Tigers’ asking price for Jack Flaherty
Anthopoulos ought to put acquiring a starter pitcher under club control first. Max Fried is scheduled to
become a free agent at the end of the season, and given the way the Braves play, he may not return. It is
unclear when Spencer Strider will return from his internal brace treatment. At forty-one, Charlie Morton
might easily hang up the horn. Their rotation in 2025 might look very different.
That being said, it is difficult to pass on a rental of Jack Flaherty’s caliber. Granted, it would not be
perfect if he left the club after only a few months, but at what cost? Why not?
With the Detroit Tigers, Flaherty has had an outstanding season, logging 106.2 innings pitched with a
2.95 ERA in 18 starts.
of labor. Despite only giving up 19 walks, he has struck out 133 batters, exhibiting not only exceptional
skills but also flawless command.
An opposition team would find it difficult to overcome Flaherty, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Morton
in a postseason rotation. No, they should not forfeit an incredible haul for Flaherty, but it would be
difficult to resist if they could acquire him at a reasonable price. Who knows? Perhaps Anthopoulos is
hiding yet another one of his trademark extensions.
3. Tyler Anderson would be a wise under-the-radar addition for the Braves
For the Los Angeles Angels, Tyler Anderson has had an incredible comeback season, logging 20 starts
and 123.2 innings pitched with a 2.91 ERA. For the second time in the previous three seasons, he was
chosen an All-Star.
Despite how impressive his numbers appear, there are grounds to think that some regression may be
necessary. Just 6.5 batters are struck out in a nine by him. His FIP is 4.44. His xERA is 4.31. He probably
is not a pitcher with an ERA under 3.00, but that is not necessary for this Braves squad. In any case, he
would be a potent innings eater towards the conclusion of their rotation.
In the three-year contract he inked with the Angels prior to the season, the 34-year-old has one more
year left. 2023 campaign, valued at $13 million—a modern-day steal for a starting pitcher of Anderson’s
caliber. It would be a triumph if Anderson could be guaranteed a spot in the rotation for the upcoming
season as a No. 4 or 5 starter without going over budget or requiring a significant investment in
prospects.
2. Chris Bassitt would give this Braves rotation a major boost
This one might be a bit of a stretch given that reports suggest the Toronto Blue Jays are not interested in
trading players under club control after the 2024 season, but you would have to assume the Braves
would be willing to let Bassitt go if they made a strong enough offer.
Despite the Jays’ terrible season, Bassitt is one of the few players on the team who has largely lived up to
expectations. With 21 starts and 119 innings pitched, he has a 3.78 ERA and pitches like the mid-rotation
arm he has always been.
Although Bassitt’s $22 million contract for 2025 may discourage the Braves from considering him, he is
still very reliable and steady. Considering that he is 35 years old, he even has some postseason
experience.
Although he is not an ace, the Braves do not really require a pitcher of that caliber because there are not
many ace-type pitchers in the game. He would be a huge improvement and work well in the midst of
their rotation both this year and the next.
1. Erick Fedde’s contract makes him a dream target
It is understandable that Garrett Crochet has been the subject of all trade rumors involving the Chicago White Sox, but given the most recent information available, it is quite unlikely that the southpaw will be sold. The Braves probably were not going to participate in the Crochet sweepstakes, but now that he is gone, Erick Fedde should be the center of attention. The Braves ought to take it into account.
Although Fedde has been excellent in his own right, with a 2.98 ERA in 20 outings and 117.2 innings pitched, Crochet has been Chicago’s greatest pitcher. Although he lacks Flaherty’s electrifying knockout stuff, he still has good control over the strike zone and a respectable hard contact limit.
The most desirable
Fedde’s contract is a consideration in this situation. Due to his low ERA more than halfway through the season, the 31-year-old’s deal is incredibly cheap for a pitcher. He will only receive $7.5 million next season. Fedde is well worth the cost, even if he somewhat regresses after the deadline.
Prospect-wise, he should not be overpriced, would be a significant improvement, and would enable the Braves to bolster their squad even further for the upcoming season.
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