The Braves are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Diamondbacks with the series finale tonight. The club will then travel to San Diego for a set with the Padres to end the first half of the season, which means the trade deadline is right around the corner.
This continues a short series where I highlight individual trade targets who CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson mentioned the Braves as potential suitors for, moving onto a veteran starter amid a bounce back season that could help solidify the rotation for the second half of the season. Below are past pieces from the series
Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
Zach Eflin, RHP, Rays
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers
Jack Flaherty is making himself a lot of money this season. He spent the first six and half years of his career with the Cardinals before being traded to the Orioles at the deadline last season. In free agency this winter, he inked a one-year deal with the Tigers.
His stock is much higher now than it was last year at this time, throwing harder and generating more whiffs. A free agent at year’s end, it’s a certainty that Flaherty is moved at the deadline.
So far this season, the eight-year veteran owns a 3.24 ERA, and his 3.04 FIP suggests that figure should be even lower. Flaherty’s 33% strikeout rate and 4% walk rate are the best marks of his career.
A lot can change from now until the trade deadline, but I don’t see the Braves acquiring a starter of Jack Flaherty’s caliber unless that player has multiple years of control or Alex Anthopoulos has the intention of extending that player.
The reason for that is the pitching staff, specifically the rotation, is a strength of this club. The Braves boast two All-Stars, not including Max Fried, in Reynaldo Lopez and Chris Sale as well as a slew of arms at the back of the rotation in Spencer Schwellenbach, Charlie Morton, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, and Ian Anderson.
I only see a couple of reasons for acquiring a starter ahead of the trade deadline for the Braves. First, if the value is there, it doesn’t matter the circumstances. Anthopoulos will make the deal. Secondly, if the player can help the Braves rotation in 2025 and beyond. With Max Fried set to hit free agency and Charlie Morton likely heading for retirement, Alex Anthopoulos is going to need to get aggressive for starting pitching at some point.
A guy like Jack Flaherty might be willing to sign an extension, but I would assume he’ll want to test free agency following a bounce back season, and he’s not going to be cheap in terms of prospect capital, so I wouldn’t count on a trade coming to fruition for the Tigers starter.
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