Braves favorite landing destination for veteran despite bounce back season

The Braves are coming off a painful loss to the Diamondbacks, and tonight marks the series finale.

The club will next travel to San Diego for a series against the Padres to conclude the first half of the season, signaling that the trade deadline is quickly approaching.

This is the second installment in a brief series in which I spotlight specific trade targets suggested by CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson as potential suitors for the Braves, moving on to a veteran starter in the midst of a rebound season who might help fortify the rotation for the second half of the season. Below are previous works from the series.

Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers

Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays

Zach Eflin, RHP, Rays

Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers

Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers

Jack Flaherty is making a lot of money this season. He spent the first six and a half years of his career with the Cardinals before being dealt to Baltimore at the deadline last season. In free agency this winter, he signed a one-year contract with the Tigers.

His stock is substantially greater now than it was this time last year, as he throws harder and generates more whiffs. Flaherty, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, will almost certainly be traded at the deadline.

So far this season, the eight-year veteran has a 3.24 ERA, and his 3.04 FIP implies it should be even lower. Flaherty’s strikeout rate of 33% and walk rate of 4% are his career bests.

A lot may change between now and the trade deadline, but I don’t see the Braves acquiring a starter of Jack Flaherty’s ability unless that player has several years of control and Alex Anthopoulos intends to extend that player.

The reason for this is that the pitching staff, particularly the rotation, is a strength of this team. The Braves have two All-Stars (excluding Max Fried) in Reynaldo Lopez and Chris Sale, as well as a bevy of arms in the end of the rotation in Spencer Schwellenbach, Charlie Morton, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, and Ian Anderson.

I only see a few reasons why the Braves should acquire a starter before the trade deadline. First, if the value exists, no matter what the circumstances are. Anthopoulos will strike the deal. Second, consider whether the player can contribute to the Braves’ rotation in 2025 and beyond. With Max Fried ready to enter free agency and Charlie Morton expected to retire, Alex Anthopoulos will need to get aggressive for starting pitching at some point.

A player like Jack Flaherty might be prepared to sign an extension, but I’d expect him to test free agency after a rebound season, and he’s not going to be cheap in terms of prospect capital, so don’t expect a deal for the Tigers starter.