3 Braves trade targets to already dream about and 1 to definitely avoid

Braves rumors: Atlanta can’t bank on a Paul Blackburn trade

Back to the Braves’ favorite trade partner of late, the A’s, but this time with a player that Atlanta shouldn’t be all that gung-ho about trading for, even if there is a market for him should Oakland look to sell off pieces ahead of the trade deadline. That’s right-handed starter Paul Blackburn.

The 29-year-old hurler was an All-Star for the Athletics a season ago before eventually being shut down with an injury in August amid another lost season for the struggling (and on-the-move) franchise. His 21 starts were the most of his career and he finished with the second-best ERA (4.28) and tied for the best WHIP (1.26) of his career to this point, an impressive showing for a player who essentially doubled the most innings he’d thrown in an MLB season.

Despite all of that, we have just a one-year sample size for Blackburn, which is always a scary proposition for a team like the Braves in contention to bank on when it comes to any trade. Moreover, Blackburn was shut down at the end of last season due to injury and began the 2023 campaign on the IL as well. He’s yet to see the field for the A’s this season as May arrives.

Yes, Atlanta could very much be in the market to bolster the rotation given the injuries and inconsistencies on the back end. Having said that, there will be better options than Blackburn. Even if the Braves feel like they can fleece Oakland yet again, the righty just isn’t a safe enough bet to give up assets for.