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:
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.
Braves rumors: Atlanta could pursue Lance Lynn at the deadline
Lance Lynn's name has been attached to a ton of different teams around the trade deadline. He's been rumored to have waived his no-trade clause to the Rays in a potential deal, but nothing is certain surrounding him just yet. That leaves the door open for the Braves to swoop in and try to acquire him.
This idea was first pitched by David O'Brien of The Athletic. O'Brien noted how poor of a year that Lynn has had, but the idea of acquiring him solely to eat innings down the stretch doesn't seem out of the realm of possibilities for Atlanta. With the way they are able to hit the ball, an increase in run support, better defense, and a pitcher-neutral ballpark, Lynn could improve mightily with a new environment in Atlanta.
His role would likely be flexible for Atlanta, with his struggles this year. He could make a few starts between now and when the Braves are fully healthy, but after the Braves return Fried and Wright, Lynn would be moved to the bullpen. The idea of acquiring Lance Lynn may not seem sexy at first glance, but he would provide a cheap option that could eat innings until they get healthy, while also potentially having the flexibility to throw out of the bullpen.
Braves rumors: Atlanta could pursue Marcus Stroman at the deadline
Marcus Stroman has been a name floated around in trade rumors for the last month or two. Sometimes it seems as though the Cubs will deal him. Over the course of the last few months though, the Cubs have fluctuated between potentially being buyers or sellers, with them now seemingly in position to sell some of their top players. With their lack of interest in discussing a Marcus Stroman extension, he seems to be a lock to be dealt this week, with Atlanta looking like a good landing spot.
For the Braves, they could use a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Stroman is having a solid season, despite having a pretty rough month of July. Despite his ERA rising over a run in the month, his season ERA still sits at a respectable 3.51 with a WHIP of 1.20. His recent rough patch could even be beneficial for the Braves in a way, as his value is a bit lower now than it was a month or two ago.
The Cubs will likely initiate a big sale on players with Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman being the top names that could go. Atlanta needs to pounce on Stroman before too many pitchers are moved and the market gets any thinner.
