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MLB Rumors: Braves trade buzz, Dylan Cease rumors, Marcus Stroman price

By Mark Powell

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 4: Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on June 4, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 4: Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on June 4, 2023 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Michael Lorenzen, Detroit Tigers
Michael Lorenzen, Detroit Tigers (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Could Braves trade for Michael Lorenzen?

Expect the Detroit Tigers to sell at the trade deadline, and for good reason. With Riley Greene and Eduardo Rodriguez out for the time being, odds are they will fall in the AL Central standings. That division is bad, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not poor enough for Detroit to stay within striking distance for long without their stars.

Plus, Scott Harris is fully aware that this team is far from a finished product, even with the entire roster healthy. Moves are needed to restore the roar, and the trade deadline is a great place to start.

Michael Lorenzen is on an expiring contract, and has a 3.21 ERA in nine starts. He’s the exact sort of pitcher a team like the Atlanta Braves should be looking at. Atlanta has the top of their rotation figured out, with Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton leading the way. When Kyle Wright and Max Fried come back, this group should be one of the more formidable in the National League.

The only problem? Well, Fried and Wright are coming off injury. Who knows how successful they’ll be upon impact?

Lorenzen can help patch up the rotation until those two players are ready, and affords the Braves some extra time. FanSided’s Cody Williams discussed the possibility of the Braves trading for Lorenzen on Wednesday:

"“Though he has only a 2-2 record over nine starts, Lorenzen already has a 1.1 WAR on the season, posting an impressive 3.21 ERA and 0.99 WHIP for the year. His 3.4 K/BB ratio is the second-best of his career and he’s been racking up quality starts, notching five in his last six starts. Because he’s only under contract through this season, Lorenzen could be an instance of Detroit looking to sell high and get something in a year where they are out of contention (again) in hopes of getting something promising instead of seeing the righty just walk for nothing in free agency this offseason.”"

The advanced numbers suggest Lorenzen is a capable back-end starter for a contender. He makes a lot of sense for Alex Anthopoulos.

Next. MLB Rumors: Shane Bieber trade value, Phillies buying, demote Volpe?. dark

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