Braves rumors: 3 pitchers to trade for after rotation setbacks
The Atlanta Braves have seen a few setbacks with returning starting pitchers. This could cause them to pursue one of these three names at the deadline.
There are few teams that attack the trade deadline like the Atlanta Braves. Year in and year out, they are able to put together blockbuster deals during the week of the trade deadline. A few weeks ago, Atlanta didn’t look like much of a candidate to add starting pitching because of the returns of Kyle Wright and Max Fried. But not everything is going smoothly for those two, so Atlanta may be in the market for starters.
The Angels and White Sox recently made a deal for Lucas Giolito that could have set the market for starting pitching this year. The White Sox were able to net two of the Angels top five prospects, per MLB Pipeline, in this deal. The Braves will be buying starting pitchers, but the price will be steep.
Braves rumors: Atlanta could pursue Jordan Montgomery at the deadline
All signs point to the St. Louis Cardinals being major sellers at the 2023 trade deadline, with rumors even emerging of the Dodgers pursuing Nolan Arenado. Beyond the All-Star third baseman, St Louis has a ton of intriguing trade options. To Atlanta, there may not be a better match than Jordan Montgomery.
Fansided’s Cody Williams touched on how perfect of a match this would be recently by stating:
"For one, the track record for the left-hander is stellar, both this season and going back a few years. In 19 starts in 2023, he leads the Cards in ERA (3.14) and WHIP (1.23) after posting a 3.11 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 11 starts after being traded to St. Louis at the deadline a year ago."
But after a trade like the Lucas Giolito move to the Angels, the asking price on the Cardinals pitcher could be steep. Not only that, but it will likely get steeper and steeper with each pitcher that comes off the board.
His expiring contract also gives the Braves some flexibility for the years beyond 2023. They wouldn’t be locked down for multiple years if they didn’t want to be.
With the slight delay in the lefty Max Fried and the righty Kyle Wright, Atlanta could desperately use a left-handed starter and Montgomery may be one of the better ones on the market. He coul pitch into October with Atlanta.