Braves Rumors: Strider’s historic pace, Soroka’s return effects, Red Sox trade target

Braves Rumors: Tanner Houck is a Braves trade target to keep an eye on

Considering that Tanner Houck has been a regular starter in the Red Sox rotation this season, this might seem counter-intuitive given what we discussed earlier with the effects of Soroka returning to the big leagues and the potential lessened need to pursue starters at the trade deadline.

Houck, however, is perhaps and outlier in that conversation, one that should make him a quality Braves trade target.

In Boston, Houck has spent time in numerous roles, ranging from long reliever to closer to starting pitcher. In theory, his stuff is that of a slider with nice velocity and movement on his sinker and cutter, a devastating slider from the righty, and a splitter that has improved over the past few years. His stuff, however, hasn’t translated as a starter as Houck has a 5.30 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 10 starts this season.

Though his May 28 start against Arizona wasn’t evidence of this, the larger sample size suggests that Houck has struggled the most when he’s going a second and third time through the order. Opposing hitters have a .532 OPS in the right-hander’s first time facing the order, but that jumps to .782 the second time through and .885 the third time through.

With the Red Sox recently displaying an affinity for moving starters to long relief roles, especially with the rotation starting to get healthier, there have been discussions about whether that would be where Houck is best. And for the Braves, that’s where they should be enticed.

If Atlanta indeed loosens up the perceived need for starting pitching, especially if Soroka looks good in his return to the majors, the bullpen becomes the bigger area of focus. And with the unspectacular stuff of Colin McHugh and Michael Tonkin, Houck could potentially fill that need in a big way.

Whether Boston would want to part with Houck remains to be seen but, if the Red Sox pursue a starter in their own right at the deadline, it could make Houck — or even guys like Nick Pivetta, who was moved to the ‘pen from a starter role — expendable to fortify the lineup, something that the Braves could make happen in the interest of strengthening the bullpen in a huge way, and even giving the club a spot starter if needed.

Houck was reportedly a hot commodity on the trade market prior to the season and, if the Braves are smart, they could help reignite that fire ahead of the deadline.