According to a recent article on Bleacher Report, it appears that the Atlanta Braves may be considering another trade with the Oakland Athletics to bolster their pitching rotation. As free agency unfolds and top starting pitchers remain on the market, the Braves seem inclined to explore trade options to enhance their roster, particularly in the pitching department.
The article suggests that the Braves have been linked to notable names on the trade market, such as Dylan Cease and Corbin Burnes. While acquiring such high-caliber pitchers would undoubtedly strengthen the Braves’ rotation, the competition for these players is expected to be fierce, given their talent and performance.
The focus then shifts to a potential trade with the Oakland Athletics, who are still in a rebuilding phase and may be looking to offload veteran players. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposes a trade scenario in which the Braves receive left-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn, who has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining. In return, the Athletics would acquire right-handed pitcher JR Ritchie, the No. 35 pick in the 2022 MLB draft and ranked sixth in Atlanta’s farm system, according to MLB.com.
The article acknowledges that Blackburn’s overall numbers over the past two seasons may not be outstanding, with a 4.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. However, it highlights promising stretches in his performance, including an All-Star appearance in 2022. The suggestion is that the Braves could potentially help Blackburn reach a consistent high level of performance, and acquiring him might be a more cost-effective option compared to pursuing pitchers like Dylan Cease.
While the trade simulator grades the proposed trade as nearly even, the article notes that the Braves might be giving up a bit more in this one-for-one swap. It rationalizes this by pointing out that the Braves have a surplus of top prospects, particularly right-handed pitchers, and parting with the sixth-best prospect, JR Ritchie, may not significantly impact the team’s future.
The article concludes with a humorous note about the potential for yet another significant trade between the Braves and the Athletics, though it acknowledges uncertainties regarding Oakland’s willingness to engage in further deals with Braves’ general manager Alex Anthopoulos, considering the outcomes of previous trades involving Matt Olson and Sean Murphy. Additionally, it questions whether Paul Blackburn would indeed be a substantial upgrade for the Braves’ pitching staff, given the presence of other promising pitchers in their system.
Leave a Reply