Braves Face Trade Deadline Dilemma with Pitching
It’s widely known that Alex Anthopoulos is seeking outfield upgrades for the Braves after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season and Michael Harris II for an extended period. Despite reuniting with Eddie Rosario in free agency, the team is expected to stay active in the market.
Another significant area of need for the Braves is starting pitching. Spencer Strider’s season-ending elbow injury highlighted this issue. However, the situation has somewhat stabilized since then.
Max Fried, after a rough start, has returned to All-Star form. Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez, two major offseason acquisitions, were also named NL All-Stars. Veteran Charlie Morton has been a steady presence, and Spencer Schwellenbach’s recent strong performances suggest he could be the team’s fifth starter for the rest of the year.
This presents a dilemma for the Braves. According to MLB.com Braves insider Mark Bowman, Schwellenbach, Sale, and Lopez might have workload concerns in the latter part of the season and postseason. Therefore, Atlanta might need to consider adding a starting pitcher with this in mind.
The challenge for the Braves is balancing the need for pitching while ensuring outfield depth. With a solid rotation, should they aggressively pursue a starting pitcher at the trade deadline or only make a move if the right opportunity arises?
How Anthopoulos handles this situation will not only shape the rest of the Braves’ season but also be intriguing to watch.
Braves Make Two Key Injury Moves
The Braves are bolstering their roster following injuries. According to MLB.com, the team is activating outfielder Ramon Laureano and pitcher Ian Anderson from the injured list. Laureano had an oblique strain, while Anderson is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Braves, currently 53-42 and fighting for position in the National League East, are eight games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. Laureano joins the 40-man roster, while Anderson continues his recovery in the farm system.
Impact of These Additions
Laureano, an outfielder, adds depth and strong defense. He is hitting .257 in 11 games this year, with one home run and four RBIs.
“He’s a really good defender, he can pinch-run,” said team manager Brian Snitker, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We’ll use him against lefties and off the bench. He was swinging the bat well. I like him against either arm. He’ll be a good piece for us.”
Anderson, currently with Triple-A Gwinnett, has a 2.19 ERA in 2024 and 10 strikeouts in over 12 innings. He played a key role in the Braves’ postseason runs in 2020 and 2021, helping them win the World Series in 2021.
“He’s good,” Snitker added. “He’s been activated in Triple-A Gwinnett. Everything I’ve heard has been positive, and it’s full speed ahead for him. That’s really encouraging.”
As the Braves strive to keep pace in the NL East with the Phillies, Laureano provides immediate outfield depth, while Anderson is progressing well in his recovery.
The Braves will face the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, competing for position in the NL Wild Card race. The first pitch is set for 1:00 Eastern.
