Braves Rumors: Ranking the 12 best trade targets for Atlanta to pursue

Braves Trade Target No. 4: Kyle Hendricks, SP, Chicago Cubs

Sticking with the Chicago Cubs, the best starting pitching option that the Braves could target at the trade deadline is veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks. At 33 years old, Hendricks is ostensibly an expiring contract too with only a club option for 2024 remaining after this season.

Once again, his contract and the state of the Cubs makes him a trade asset worth exploring dealing, and his work on the mound this season for an Atlanta team that needs to fortify the rotation can’t go overlooked, especially at a likely reasonable price.

In 11 starts this season, Hendricks has quietly been phenomenal, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP on the year. Adding that type of veteran presence and performance behind Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Bryce Elder in the Braves rotation could be massive, especially in the postseason.

Braves Trade Target No. 3: Alex Lange, RP, Detroit Tigers

When it comes to trade deadline options, there often aren’t a plethora of potential long-term options and solutions that could realistically be explored. One of the few this year who also just so happens to fit the biggest need for Atlanta, however, would be Tigers right-hander Alex Lange.

The numbers for the 27-year-old aren’t overwhelming as Detroit’s closer has a 4.08 ERA and 1.29 WHIP for the year, numbers that took a big hit in June when h posted an 11.57 ERA over 11 appearances. In the first two months of the season, though, his ERA was just above 1.00 and he’s posted a 3.86 mark in five July appearances as well.

Even at his age, Lange still has four years of club control (one pre-arbitration, three arbitration years) left on his contract. That could up the price but, if the Tigers look for younger future assets, then dealing the reliever to a team like the Braves would make a ton of sense as a contender has more use for him now and moving forward than Detroit.