The Braves haven’t been linked to much with MLB’s winter meetings officially underway in Dallas, but that’s typically around the time a bomb drops. Alex Anthopoulos and this organization are notorious from preventing leaks, and there’s one potential Braves trade candidate whose value is becoming a lot more clear.
MLB insider Jon Morosi believes the top starting pitcher on the trade market, Garrett Crochet, will be traded by the end of this week, naming the Red Sox as the favorite to land him due to their increased willingness to include top prospect Marcelo Mayer in the deal.
"It is increasingly possible that Garrett Crochet will be dealt before the end of this week…" – @jonmorosi#MLBNHotStove presented by @CohnReznick pic.twitter.com/LQlo2hjy71
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 9, 2024
One has to imagine the Braves have been in contact with the White Sox about a potential Garrett Crochet trade. Atlanta has a glaring need for starting pitching, and the market for free agent starting pitchers is absolutely bonkers. If the Braves want to significantly upgrade their rotation, one would think that they’ll have to look for a trade partner.
However, just like the starting pitching market in free agency, it’s going to cost a ton of prospect capital to land a pitcher of Crochet’s caliber. The Braves don’t have anything close to Marcelo Mayer in their farm system, who’s a top 20 prospect in all of baseball.
That’s the harsh reality that has quickly become apparent over the first six weeks of the offseason. Nothing is going to be cheap, especially when it comes to pitching. The top free agents as well as the top trade candidates on the Braves’ wish list are going to demand a king’s ransom. The Braves have never been one to overpay, but they might have to be a little more willing to take a risk this offseason than they have in previous years if they want to address their rotation.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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