Braves rumors: 3 All-Stars not named Juan Soto to trade for

3) Braves All-Star trade target not named Juan Soto: Martin Perez

Texas Rangers pitcher Martin Perez would be a nice rental for the Braves. In the wake of Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson struggling through the first half, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for the Braves to swap one of them for Martinez—not literally in a trade but on the roster. The outcast can move to the bullpen and potentially become an answer there for them.

The Braves can consider themselves lucky with how well rookie Spencer Strider has pitched. He wasn’t originally a part of their plan but he has won his way into the rotation and has been one of their most trusted starters this year.

Meanwhile, Perez is completely annihilating all expectations. He is 7-2 with a 2.68 ERA after 18 starts. Last year with the Boston Red Sox hit his free agency case tremendously. After this year, it’s at a level nobody probably would have guessed.

Perez shouldn’t cost a whole lot even with the All-Star pedigree added to his resume for the first time this season. As a lifetime American League pitcher, it might help a little bit in switching leagues as there will be fewer batters familiar with him. This is only a slight advantage as players are regularly changing leagues and there’s interleague play every day now anyway.

Nevertheless, Perez is someone the Braves could use in their rotation. He won’t hit mammoth home runs like Juan Soto. He can certainly prevent them.