**Atlanta Braves Top Contender for Jesús Luzardo Amid Injury Challenges**
Faced with numerous injuries, the Atlanta Braves are emerging as significant players ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline. An upgrade in the outfield seems imminent to compensate for the loss of Ronald Acuña Jr., who is sidelined for the season with a torn ACL. Historically, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has proactively addressed such setbacks, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t do the same this year. However, upgrading the roster isn’t limited to the outfield; every area, including those of strength, can always be enhanced.
The Braves’ roster, despite its strengths, has areas that could benefit from improvement. Shortstop is one such position, and even their commendable pitching staff could be bolstered. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has identified the Braves as the top landing spot for Miami Marlins’ left-hander Jesús Luzardo. Despite the emergence of Reynaldo López in the rotation, the absence of ace Spencer Strider due to elbow surgery leaves a significant gap at the No. 5 starter spot.
Prospect Spencer Schwellenbach made his MLB debut recently, joining a lineup of young pitchers like Bryce Elder, Darius Vines, Allan Winans, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Ray Kerr, all trying to stabilize the back end of the Braves’ rotation. Elder, an All-Star in 2023, has struggled with a 6.46 ERA over 23.2 innings in five starts and is currently working to improve at the Triple-A level.
The top of the Braves’ rotation has been stellar, but the inconsistency at the fifth spot underscores the need for proven depth, making Luzardo a valuable addition. While Reuter’s reasoning focuses on immediate needs, the fifth starter spot’s importance diminishes in the postseason when only four starters are typically necessary. Nonetheless, bolstering the rotation remains a strategic move, considering potential injuries and long-term planning.
Spencer Schwellenbach shows promise, and Hurston Waldrep has yet to debut. AJ Smith-Shawver is expected back in a few months, and Ian Anderson is slated to return around the same time. Despite this, adding more arms should be a priority for Anthopoulos. The health of pitchers is never guaranteed, as evidenced this season. If Chris Sale, Max Fried, or Reynaldo Lopez were to get injured, the Braves would be in a precarious position. Luzardo’s addition would mitigate these risks and potentially serve as a top-three starter.
Anthopoulos must also consider the future. With Max Fried approaching free agency, Charlie Morton likely retiring, and Spencer Strider recovering from a torn UCL, the Braves’ rotation in 2025 and beyond is uncertain. Luzardo, under team control through the 2026 season, would provide much-needed stability.
Reuter proposes a hypothetical trade: the Braves acquire LHP Jesús Luzardo in exchange for RHP Hurston Waldrep, RHP JR Ritchie, C Drake Baldwin, and RHP Lucas Braun. This trade is fair for a pitcher of Luzardo’s caliber. While Waldrep is a promising prospect, pitching prospects are notoriously unpredictable. Ritchie, although talented, is recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Baldwin, while solid, is not crucial with Sean Murphy as the Braves’ primary catcher.
While the trade makes sense, Reuter’s assertion that the Braves are the #1 landing spot for Luzardo is debatable. Other teams might have more pressing needs for a starting pitcher. Nonetheless, acquiring Luzardo would significantly bolster the Braves’ rotation, addressing both immediate and future concerns.
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