Braves rumors: 1 dream trade, 1 savvy play, 1 to avoid altogether

Braves Rumors: Lucas Giolito is a savvy, realistic trade target

More in the ballpark of what the Atlanta Braves are likely to do at the trade deadline, you have to look at the Chicago White Sox and the potential options they offer. All reports indicate that the Southsiders could be heading toward a total fire sale this season given their struggles and seemingly no way to climb out of the hole but to hit the reset button.

Dylan Cease would probably qualify as another dream option for the Braves or any buyer at the deadline, the AL Cy Young runner-up a season ago who still has years of club control remaining as well.

Having said that, with Fried — once he returns from injury — and Spencer Strider, a Cy Young candidate in his own right, the Braves aren’t necessarily looking for another ace to bolster the rotation this season. That’s why a savvier target for Atlanta would be 28-year-old hurler Lucas Giolito if they want to take advantage of the White Sox selling the team for scrap.

Giolito came into this year after one of the worst seasons in his career in 2022 but has bounced back extremely well. Through 12 starts, the veteran has posted a 4.08 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP, posting a Quality Start in six of those outings to this point.

Slotting Giolito, a former first-round pick by the Nationals back in 2012, into the rotation behind Fried and Strider would still give Atlanta an elite 1-2-3 punch for a deep postseason run. More importantly, though, the cost should be friendly to the Braves. Not only is Chicago looking to sell off pieces, but Giolito will hit free agency after this season, meaning that it’s a trade him before losing him for nothing situation.

That’s a market that Alex Anthopoulos can work magic in and Giolito would be a phenomenal option to help the cause.