Though the Braves clearly need help in the outfield and at shortstop, I keep seeing analysts bring up pitching before the MLB trade deadline.
On the one hand, as Atlanta is well aware, teams can never have too much pitching. Injuries have kept the Braves rotation shorthanded in the previous two postseasons. It’s always a good idea to hoard starters, and this time of year relievers are extremely inexpensive.
However, even without Spencer Strider, this Braves rotation is the finest it has been in years. As strong as any 1-2-3, Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez are followed by Charlie Morton and Spencer Schwellenbach. Ian Anderson, A.J. Smith-Shawver, and Bryce Elder are not even included in it.
The Braves appear to have an abundance of arms for the first time in a long time, but the picture for 2025 isn’t as certain, which is another reason Alex Anthopoulos might purchase a starter before the deadline. Charlie Morton is undoubtedly retiring (right? ), Max Fried’s free agency is approaching, and Spencer Strider is likely to recover from a serious injury.
This is the second in a quick series in which I identify specific trade candidates that R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports suggested the Braves could be interested in acquiring. Next up is a seasoned starter who could help allay worries about the rotation for the upcoming year. Here are some older articles from the series:
Tigers’ Tarik Skubal (LHP) and Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette (SS)
Due to his $18 million salary for the upcoming season, Eflin may be the next to go after the Rays dealt Aaron Civale to the Brewers. For a starter of his ability, that isn’t a crazy price, but Tampa Bay is known for being frugal, so they will probably take advantage of the situation.
Eflin was sixth in the Cy Young contest the previous season despite pitching 177.2 innings with a fantastic 7.75 K/BB, 3.01 FIP, 1.024 WHIP, and 3.50 ERA. At $18 million for the upcoming season, that’s a great deal, but his 2024 output hasn’t been as strong. With 16 starts and 92.1 innings pitched, he has a 4.19 ERA, an MLB-best 0.8 BB/9, and an astounding 9.00 K/BB. In addition, his 3.77 FIP indicates that positive regression is certain for him.
The price shouldn’t be as outrageous as it may have been at the previous trade deadline because he’s not having such a stellar year. That seems like a play to purchase low on a tried-and-true product from Alex Anthopoulos. The Rays might not want to sell low on Zach Eflin in the same sentence.
He would fill a spot in the rear of the rotation and provide Atlanta with another trustworthy arm in the closing stages of the game if the Braves were to trade for him.
