Breaking: Braves Part Ways With Right Handed Pitcher

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Braves are projected to be among the most active teams in baseball.

The two most obvious areas where Alex Anthopoulos can improve are the outfield and shortstop positions, with the former being more easier to acquire. Similar to the 2021 trade deadline, Anthopoulos should be looking for numerous outfielders because there is a clear need and they are typically inexpensive.

As always, more pitching would be beneficial. The Braves now have a glut of relievers, with Daysbel Hernandez biding his time in Gwinnett, and the rotation is more than adequate, with Max Fried, Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton as the top four.

That’s enough starters for the postseason, but as we’ve seen, injuries can devastate a team. If things don’t go as planned, the Braves may be looking for arms.

In a “outrageous trade,” according to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, the Braves overpower the rotation and strengthen the outfield in exchange for one of their top prospects.

Atlanta Braves Receive: RHP Jack Flaherty, OF Mark Canha
Detroit Tigers Receive: RHP Hurston Waldrep (ATL No. 2 prospect)

Detroit doesn’t have much to give Atlanta, but Jack Flaherty and Mark Canha are two players who should be on the AA radar.

Flaherty is in the midst of a classic comeback effort on a one-year contract. Injuries hampered a once-promising career, but he has delivered an All-Star performance. In 15 starts, he has a 3.24 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 1.000 WHIP, and an impressive 11.6 K/9.

Leaning on an exceptional pitching staff could be a strategy for an offensively challenged Braves team, but if they’re in the market for Flaherty, I’d expect one of their horses to be out for an extended period.

Canha, the experienced outfielder, isn’t going to be the Braves’ entire answer, but he has nearly even splits versus lefties and righties and has never had a sub-100 wRC+ in a full season. The Braves could do much worse.

Hurston Waldrep is the Braves’ #1 prospect according to some sites’ rankings. Following his major league debut, the Florida product was sent to the IL with elbow discomfort after two appearances with a 16.71 ERA.

Still, it’s a steep price to pay for a mediocre outfielder and a one-year rental in Flaherty. If the Braves had a clear void in their rotation, it would make a lot more sense, and I normally believe that prospects are better served as trade chips than anything else, but this is simply too expensive for short-term fixes.