The trade deadline passed 12 hours ago, and most of Braves Country is still trying to figure out how the hell Alex Anthopoulos didn’t come away with one meaningful addition to the rotation. And no, Tyler Mahle doesn’t count.
Speaking to the media last night, Anthopoulos wouldn’t get into specifics, but his thinking became pretty clear. The Braves weren’t especially interested in a Kevin Gausman or a Dustin May, feeling the price tags didn’t line up with the talent. It was game-changing arm or bust — and according to Anthopoulos, only a couple of those were actually available.
Alex Anthopoulos said, along with Skubal, “there was one other guy we thought was incredibly impactful as well in our minds”
Followed it up with
“Beyond that, I don't think it's appropriate to talk about things that didn't get done” #Braves
— Harrison Smajovits (@HarrisonSmaj) August 3, 2026
It’s not confirmed, but based on reports from Ken Rosenthal leading up to and following the deadline, one of those guys was Jacob deGrom.
“The Braves informed the Rangers of their desire to land deGrom, according to people briefed on the discussions who were offered anonymity for their candor,” Rosenthal writes. “The Rangers told deGrom if he wanted to waive his no-trade clause for Atlanta, they would make a deal happen, the source said, but deGrom said no, explaining that he wanted to win in Texas.”
deGrom would have been a game-changer for this pitching staff, forming a diabolical one-two punch alongside Chris Sale. And because of his massive contract, Atlanta likely could have landed him without surrendering any of their top prospects. That’s a dream scenario for Anthopoulos, but deGrom’s full no-trade clause made it a moot point for every club chasing him.
“I want to be here (Texas),” deGrom said, according to MLB.com. “I believe in this group. Obviously, the last road trip didn’t go well, but I believe we can win. I signed here to help this team win a World Series. In 2023, the team was able to do that. I want to be a part of that in the future. I signed here to do that. I want to stay here and help this team compete.”
So another window closed, and the Braves were left standing at the altar once again — the single biggest need that’s haunted them nearly every October since 2018 still unaddressed.
The excuses from Anthopoulos never change. But it’s worth remembering the Braves watched Charlie Morton and Max Fried walk out the door two offseasons ago — two pillars of the rotation — and haven’t spent a penny seriously trying to replace what they lost.
There’s no excuse for that. And if this team falls short in the postseason again, uncomfortable questions need to be asked about the man running the organization.
—
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)