Braves: 3 trade deadline surprises that could await Alex Anthopoulos
By Tim Boyle
These trade deadline surprises could be on the way for Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves fans.
There are two ways the Atlanta Braves can approach this year’s trade deadline. One is to be aggressive and try to repeat last year’s success of adding to the roster and eventually winning a World Series. The other is to make some more minor moves and be happy that things worked out well in 2021.
Ask any Braves fan what they think and all would agree they aren’t satisfied with just one championship.
Alex Anthopoulos should have himself a busy summer taking and making phone calls before the trade deadline on August 2. What surprises lie ahead for this ball club?
1) Braves trade deadline surprise: Spencer Strider saves them from starting pitcher hunting
Who’s that man riding in on the white horse to save the day for Atlanta? Why, it’s Spencer Strider! The rookie pitcher is now 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA this season in 6 starts and 11 relief appearances. He has found himself in the rotation helping to make up for the absence of Mike Soroka but also the struggles of others.
It’s a trade deadline surprise for Anthopoulos who will no longer need to use his resources to trade for one of the big name starting pitchers available. It helps the Braves greatly that Strider could be good to go for the remainder of the season as a starter, too. Often with younger pitchers there is an innings limit. While he may still have one, he is nowhere near blasting through an outrageous number.
Strider’s success this year could have the Braves leaning toward filling other needs. He’ll have about a month to continue to prove he is worthy of staying in the rotation. At worst, maybe he simply gives them another bullpen arm they can turn to.