The Atlanta Braves have relied heavily on their starting rotation this season, but it has never appeared more fragile than it does now.
With All-Star lefty Max Fried already on the 15-day injured list, All-Star righty Reynaldo López missed his start on Sunday due to forearm soreness. If the Braves lose one of those two moving forward, their strength becomes a weakness.
The Braves are 56-48, holding on to the National League’s top Wild Card slot by a slim margin. If they wish to revenge their straight postseason losses to the Philadelphia Phillies, they may need pitching reinforcements.
Fortunately, one Major League Baseball insider believes that reinforcements may be on the way.
Jon Heyman, an insider for the New York Post and MLB Network, revealed on Monday that the Braves were considering trading for Chicago White Sox standout lefty Garrett Crochet.
“The Braves are among the teams considering White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. “Makes sense for them if they can generate a decent return,” Heyman tweeted. “They have multiple injury losses/concerns at the top of their rotation and Crochet salary ($800K) is very reasonable.”
Crochet, 25, is one of the most complicated trade possibilities in recent years. He has already surpassed his previous career high in innings pitched this season, his first as a starter. Then stories appeared about his specific demands for a prospective deal.
Heyman reported on Friday that Crochet would not accept a bullpen job during the regular season and would only throw in the playoffs if his contract was extended. All of this makes logical from a self-preservation standpoint, but it is undoubtedly a barrier to any trade agreement.
However, the Braves may be in the best position to meet Crochet’s expectations. They have $35 million coming off the books this winter between starting pitchers Charlie Morton and Max Fried, and they may devote a portion of that money to Crochet.
There is little doubt that acquiring Crochet would increase the Braves’ overall potential. The lefty has one of the most explosive arms in baseball this season, but he is still learning the ropes as a starter.
But is the risk worth bearing the weight of Crochet’s alleged demands? That is the question that general manager Alex Anthopoulos will have to address.
