The Atlanta Braves are struggling, evident from their recent players-only meeting.
With a 54-45 record, they hold the fourth-best spot in the National League and are a strong Wild Card contender. However, injuries to key players have hindered their ability to challenge Philadelphia in the standings.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is expected to be aggressive before the trade deadline. He has already added Eddie Rosario and Whit Merrifield off waivers and has been experimenting with players like Zack Short and Nacho Alvarez. The Braves are also missing ace Spencer Strider in the rotation. Despite having All-Stars like Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Max Fried, the fifth starter position remains a problem.
To address both positional depth and pitching needs, a proposed trade involves acquiring Tarik Skubal and Javier Baez from the Detroit Tigers.
Baez’s hefty contract is a significant drawback, but his experience could temporarily fill the gap left by Ozzie Albies. While Baez’s recent performance has been lackluster, he could still provide depth in the infield.
The real prize would be Skubal, a potential AL Cy Young contender with two years of team control. Pairing Skubal with Strider next season could create one of the most formidable pitching duos in the league. The Braves have the prospect capital to entice Detroit, and absorbing Baez’s contract might be a necessary cost for landing Skubal.
Although the Braves are not known for big spending, this move could be a strategic investment to solidify their rotation and bolster their playoff chances. Whether or not the trade happens, the prospect of Skubal joining the Braves is an exciting possibility for the team and its fans.
