Braves Rumors: Cardinals trade fit, Vaughn Grissom surge, 2 looming threats
By Scott Rogust
Braves rumors: Cardinals starting pitcher named trade fit for Atlanta
‘The Atlanta Braves sit in first place in the NL East, but it is far from a hefty lead. As of the morning of June 21, Atlanta holds a 5.5-game lead over the Miami Marlins and a 9.0-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. With this, the Braves could stand to add at the trade deadline to ensure they not only win the division but so they can make a run at the World Series.
So, who could the Braves target at the Aug. 1 trade deadline?
MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand listed out 10 potential trade chips and some teams they might fit on. One player listed was St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, and Feinsand lists the Braves as a potential fit.
"“After allowing 10 ER in just 2 1/3 innings against the Angels on May 4, Flaherty posted a 2.06 ERA over his next six starts, helping St. Louis to victories in five of those games,” writes Feinsand. “The right-hander — who is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season — was roughed up by the Giants (6 ER in 4 1/3 innings) on June 13 and by the Nationals (6 ER in 6 1/3 innings), but he would be a valuable piece for most contenders seeking a rotation upgrade.”"
The Cardinals are one of MLB’s biggest disappointments of the 2023 season. They were expected to contend not just for the NL Central title, but also for the World Series. Instead, they still sit at the bottom of their division as of this writing. But, they aren’t that far back for first place (eight games back of Cincinnati Reds). So, the Cardinals are in a conundrum. Do they go for a late-season push? Or do they opt to sell?
Flaherty could be a player that could be traded at the deadline if St. Louis decides to sell. He is in the final year of his contract and will become a free agent this upcoming winter. In 15 starts this season, Flaherty has recorded a 4.95 ERA, a 1.600 WHIP, a 4-5 win-loss record, 80 strikeouts, and 40 walks (league-high) in 80.0 innings.
The Braves could stand to add starting pitching at the deadline, considering Max Fried and Kyle Wright are currently on the injured list and have been sidelined since early May. Could Flaherty be a realistic option for them?