MLB Rumors: Braves trade target shines, Marcus Stroman reunion, a Goldschmidt deal

MLB Rumors: Braves should trade for Kyle Hendricks

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks significantly upgraded his trade value on Saturday night, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants. That no-no was broken up with two outs in the eighth, but it still showed something from Hendricks that Cubs fans have been waiting for — a flash from the past. Whether it’s sustainable or not, the trade buzz around a player like Hendricks, who should be rather affordable and could be a rental barring a club option after this season, will only increase from here.

https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1667720548003065857

FanSided’s Cody Williams outlined the argument to acquire Hendricks prior to his near-no hitter, and it’s a good one:

"“With his age and the fact that he’s had an ERA over 4.75 in each of the past two seasons, though, Hendricks isn’t going to be an ultra-coveted commodity at the deadline. At the same time, in a situation with more protection from the offense and in the heart of a better rotation, something the Braves could offer, he could improve on that. And again, his stuff has been promising since he came back. All of the factors at play with Hendricks mean that the trade cost should be reasonable and, if all the Braves are looking to do is find a veteran to plug the hole in the rotation, then there isn’t a better answer on the Cubs — and few elsewhere either — than Hendricks.”"

Atlanta is down two of its top starting pitchers in Max Fried and Kyle Wright, which makes the fact they have the best record in the National League all the more impressive. Trading for Hendricks as a stopgap while those two get healthy by August makes a lot of sense, if Alex Anthopoulos can afford him.