Atlanta Braves considering trading for intriguing AL East starting pitcher

admin | May 20, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Atlanta Braves have been one of the better National League teams this season, but they are well behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB standings.

While there is still plenty of time to close the gap, the MLB trade deadline could be significant for the Braves.

Atlanta enters today’s MLB games ranked 19th in runs scored (195), putting additional pressure on the pitching staff to perform. While the Braves have the ninth-lowest ERA (3.46), they are also 15th in quality starts.

Atlanta Braves pitching stats (FanGraphs): 3.63 ERA (11th), 233 innings pitched (27th), 8.58 K/9 (12th), .233 batting average allowed (11th), 1.22 WHIP (15th)

While a clear market for sellers has yet to emerge ahead of the MLB trade deadline, Atlanta is still considering its alternatives. Over the weekend, MLB speculations surfaced about one starting pitcher who is among the Braves’ trade targets this season.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Atlanta Braves are “keeping a close eye” on Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zach Eflin as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

Zach Eflin contract: $11 million salary in 2024, $18 million salary in 2025

If the Braves signed Eflin this summer, he would be paid less than half of his $11 million salary for the 2024 season. Even with the $1 million trade assignment bonus in his contract, he would be a reasonable starter for Atlanta with 1.5 seasons under contract.

Eflin, 30, has been a successful starter for Tampa Bay this season. While his 4.12 ERA over 59 innings pitched is higher than his mark last season (3.50 in 177.2 innings), Eflin has reduced his walk rate to a career-best 1.6 percent and maintains a 1.17 WHIP. However, opponents are hitting.270 against him this year.

At the absolute least, Eflin would provide Atlanta a dependable mid-rotation starter who could devour innings. With Spencer Strider out for the season, a consistent starter who can relieve the Braves bullpen’s workload would be a beneficial acquisition.