The Braves are set to finish the first half of the season with a series against the Padres, leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline, where GM Alex Anthopoulos is expected to be busy.
At this point, it’s clear that the Braves’ top roster needs are in the outfield and at shortstop. While finding a replacement for Orlando Arcia might be challenging, it remains a significant need.
Acquiring outfielders, however, should be more feasible, and the Braves are likely to add multiple players, similar to their 2021 deadline strategy that propelled them to the World Series.
Although most Braves fans agree on these roster needs, MLB pundits continue to focus on pitching. While you can never have too much pitching in baseball, Atlanta’s rotation is currently a strength.
Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez form a formidable trio, capable of competing with any 1-2-3 combination in baseball. All three have been named All-Stars, with Charlie Morton, Spencer Schwellenbach, Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, and AJ Smith-Shawver rounding out the starting rotation.
A lot can change in the coming weeks, but the Braves don’t need a starter right now unless a deal is too good to pass up or addresses potential future gaps left by Max Fried and Charlie Morton, who may depart Atlanta in 2025.
Nevertheless, Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes the Braves will be in the market for a starter, naming them one of the top three landing spots for Erick Fedde.
“It appears veteran starter Erick Fedde is the White Sox player most likely to be traded, with the Cardinals, Orioles, and Braves as the most likely landing spots.”
The 31-year-old Fedde is having a fantastic year, boasting a sub-3.00 ERA across 111.1 innings and coming off a five-scoreless-innings performance. His journey back to the majors is akin to a Disney movie.
After struggling with a 5.41 ERA over six seasons, Fedde reinvented himself in Korea in 2023, adding a sweeper and removing his curveball.
Having a surplus of good pitchers is never a bad thing. If the opportunity arises to acquire Fedde, the Braves should be ready to act. It’s wise for teams to stockpile good players and figure out the details later
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