The Braves return to action this weekend against the Cardinals, and then it’s a mad dash to the trade deadline where everyone expects Alex Anthopoulos to be among the busiest GMs in the sport.
The obvious holes that can be addressed are outfield and shortstop. It shouldn’t be difficult to find a couple of bodies to throw in the mix with Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, and Jarred Kelenic, but that isn’t the case with Orlando Arica. Anthopoulos may find it challenging to upgrade the shortstop position because of the supply.
The pitching staff is among the best in baseball, but if you think AA is going to be complacent, you haven’t been paying attention during his tenure in Atlanta. The Braves GM regularly upgrades positions of strength if the opportunity presents itself. Think back to the Sean Murphy trade; the club already had two All-Star catchers under contract.
Relievers won’t cost a ton, so if Anthopoulos came away with one, nobody should be surprised, but that’s not the case for starting pitchers. It’s the most expensive position to acquire at the trade deadline, and Atlanta’s rotation is stout.
The Braves 1-2-3 of Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez can go toe-to-toe with any in baseball, and the back of the rotation is anchored by veteran Charlie Morton and youngster Spencer Schwellenbach while Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, and AJ Smith-Shawver bide their time in the minors.
It’s a position of strength that may be a focal point, according to USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale, who’s reporting the Braves are among a group of teams looking to add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
“Can you spare a starter? The Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, and Atlanta are all seeking at least one more starter for the stretch run,” Nightengale said.
This could be the case for a couple of reasons. Firstly, injuries are inevitable, and this club knows firsthand what they can do to a rotation. Getting out ahead of a problem before it arrises is smart.
Secondly, the Braves are notorious for filling tomorrow’s needs today. They did it with Rasiel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, and Joe Jimenez; Anthopoulos could once again do it with the rotation.
Charlie Morton’s retirement and Max Fried’s free agency are looming. If both depart this winter, the Braves will be searching for answers. Whether it is for insurance this season, help in 2025 and beyond, or both, another starting pitcher could greatly benefit the Braves.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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