The trade deadline fast approaches and (stop me if you’ve heard this before) the Braves HAVE to add at least one quality starting pitcher if they want to expect any serious postseason success (setting aside the performance on offense). Without adding a postseason-quality starter, they would need to operate a three or four man rotation that would involve at least two of Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, Martin Perez, JR Ritchie, Owen Murphy, Didier Fuentes, Spencer Schwellenbach, and AJ Smith-Shawver.
While you can squint in that list and see a pathway or two for passable postseason pitching, it’s certainly unlikely and only so much can be papered over by creative pitcher usage. Trades are hard to negotiate and this front office has been very firm on sticking to their value judgements, but this team simply cannot be a serious postseason contender (outside of general baseball variance) without adding at least one playoff-quality starter.
Braves News
The Braves brought back Martin Perez, sending down JR Ritchie, after he covered 3.2 innings Tuesday.
Scott discussed four trades that would make sense for the Braves, at least in terms of realistic player additions.
The Braves won a weird game against the Padres 7-6.
MLB News
Fangraphs continued their annual trade value rankings, with spots 30-21.
Red Sox’ ace Garrett Crochet is hoping to return from injury in time for the playoffs.
The Royals traded a pitching prospect to the Astros for Nate Pearson.
Bobby Witt is hitting the IL with lower back tightness, which hopefully is a short term ailment.
