1 trade Braves should make to stop losing streak in its tracks

The Atlanta Braves have lost four straight games and sit in third in the crowded NL East. One trade in particular could help turn things around.

The Braves have been dealt a tough hand. They’re without Mike Soroka for the season, and outfielder Marcell Ozuna may have played his last game in Atlanta due to domestic violence allegations.

Atlanta could use a fresh arm, and they shouldn’t wait until the deadline to make it. With several losing teams already looking to get a head start and sell off top pitching talent, the Braves should cash in before the price becomes astronomical.

Every start Kyle Gibson makes nets the Rangers another prospect. Seriously, it’s gotten that crazy. Gibson has a 2.13 ERA and just shut down the Giants over 6.2 innings.

MLB rumors: Braves should trade for right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson

Gibson is signed through the 2022 season, which would make him a valuable addition from the Braves point of view. No longer will they have to look to the free agent market to add a veteran pitcher in the offseason. Should they add Gibson, they’ll already have one when they reload for 2022.

But Gibson can help the Braves win this year, should they choose. He’d fit right into their rotation behind Max Fried and Ian Anderson, both of whom are having good seasons themselves. Behind those two, however, Atlanta’s rotation is either unproven or inconsistent. Gibson could add some consistency in what’s clearly the best season of his career so far.

Trading for Gibson runs the risk of a return to the norm, which for him would be an above-4 ERA. But the Braves would be banking on the fact that Gibson has found something in his pitch selection in 2021.

It likely wouldn’t cost much to get him because of that sketchy history, as well. It’s a win-win.