3 most valuable Braves trade chips at the deadline

Charlie Morton is the perfect veteran starter to help boost a playoff rotation

The likeliest big name to be dealt by the Braves if they do go into sell mode would have to be right-handed starter Charlie Morton. While this is his second stint with the team who drafted him out of high school, the 37-year-old is only on a one-year deal with the Braves. Given that he has ample postseason experience, any contending team in need of a veteran starter could want him.

Morton is 7-3 on the year with a 3.74 ERA for the Braves. He has pitched exceptionally of late and seems to be pitching his best in the last three regular seasons right now. Morton’s success in the postseason with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros before that would be a welcomed addition for any team that feels it needs to upgrade its No. 2 or No. 3 spot in the starting rotation.

Because he is pitching at an All-Star level again, the Braves should be able to command more for Morton if they do place him on the trading block. Conversely, his veteran presence would be a huge boost to younger pitchers on the Braves staff the rest of the way. Surely, Ian Anderson, Max Fried and Kyle Muller can learn a ton from him down the stretch, regardless of the team’s record.

Overall, the Braves have some high-end pieces they could move at the deadline in a worst-case scenario. Of course, this team can catch fire in the next two weeks to flip the script into being buyers. Atlanta would need to upgrade the bullpen in that scenario. Should they struggled against the Fish and the Buccos, general manager Alex Anthopoulos may have to field some phone calls.

The Braves do have the trade assets to help them potentially reload heading into next season.