Trading Bases: Atlanta Braves Trade Rumors

Frank Jones

Atlanta Braves trade rumors have long been a topic of interest among baseball fans and pundits. These rumors often generate excitement and speculation as fans anticipate potential player movements and roster upgrades. 

From star players being linked to other teams to discussions about potential trade targets, the Atlanta Braves trade rumors offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the team and the strategies they may employ to strengthen their roster. 

Let’s delve into the world of Atlanta Braves trade rumors and explore the buzz surrounding player movements and potential deals.

Atlanta Braves Trade Rumors

The Braves have recalled right-hander Michael Soroka to start tonight’s game and selected infielder Charlie Culberson to the roster. They also have several other pitchers with options and could be moved on and off the big-league club as they see fit. Jared Shuster, Kolby Allard, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Dylan Dodd are some of the names mentioned. 

This rumor suggests that the Braves are trying to find internal solutions for their rotation woes and are still deciding whether to make a big trade.

They hope Soroka can regain his form after missing most of the 2020-2022 seasons due to injuries and that Culberson can provide some depth and versatility off the bench. 

They also have some young arms that they can shuffle between the majors and minors depending on their performance and needs.1

The Braves could also target superstar pitchers on the trade market, such as Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, Luis Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds, or Max Scherzer from the Washington Nationals. 

These more expensive trades require giving up some of their top prospects and taking on significant salary commitments. However, they would also significantly boost their rotation and make them more competitive in the NL East race. 

Bieber is a former Cy Young winner who has been dominant at times, Castillo is a young ace with a nasty changeup, and Scherzer is a future Hall of Famer still pitching at a high level.2

The Braves could also look for more budget-friendly options on the trade market, such as Jon Gray from the Colorado Rockies, Kyle Gibson from the Texas Rangers, or Tyler Anderson from the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

These pitchers are more flashy and dominant than the superstars, but they are solid and reliable starters who could help stabilize the back end of the rotation. They are also in the final year of their contracts, which means they would cost less in terms of prospects or salary. 

They could be good rental options for the Braves if they are unwilling to part with their top prospects or take on long-term commitments.

Latest On Max Fried, A.J. Minter

Latest On Max Fried, A.J. Minter

Source: batterypower

The Braves agreed to one-year deals with Fried and Minter on January 16, avoiding arbitration with the two left-handers. Fried will earn $3.5 million, and Minter will reach $1.3 million in 2023. 

Both pitchers had breakout seasons in 2022 and were key contributors to the Braves pitching staff. Fried finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after going 14-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 185.1 innings. Minter posted a 2.06 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 70 innings, recording five saves.1

The Braves are still in arbitration talks with two other pitchers, right-hander Mike Soroka and shortstop Dansby Swanson, who have not agreed to terms yet. Soroka is asking for $2.8 million, and the Braves are offering $2.1 million, while Swanson is requesting $6.7 million, and the Braves are offering $6 million. 

Soroka missed most of the 2020-2022 seasons due to injuries but made two starts in 2023 before being optioned to Triple-A. Swanson had a career-best season in 2022, hitting .274 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs.1

The Braves are also looking for some more pitching help on the trade market, as they have been linked to some superstar pitchers such as Shane Bieber, Luis Castillo, and Max Scherzer, as well as some more budget-friendly options such as Jon Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Tyler Anderson. 

The Braves have one of the strongest rotations in the league when healthy, but they have dealt with injuries to Fried, Soroka, Ian Anderson, and Kyle Wright in recent years. They could use more depth and quality in their rotation to compete for another NL East title.

MLB Announces 2023 All-Star Starters

Based on the fan voting results, the starters for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard were announced on June 29. The Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani secured automatic starting bids under leading the NL and AL in votes during Phase 1 of the Ballot. 

The rest of the elected starters for the 93rd Midsummer Classic at T-Mobile Park are Jonah Heim ©, Yandy Díaz (1B), Marcus Semien (2B), Josh Jung (3B), Corey Seager (SS), Mike Trout (OF), Randy Arozarena (OF) and Aaron Judge (DH) for the AL; and Sean Murphy ©, Freddie Freeman (1B), Luis Arraez (2B), Nolan Arenado (3B), Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS), Juan Soto (OF) and Mookie Betts (OF) for the NL.1

The pitchers and reserves for both teams were announced on July 2, based on the player ballot choices and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office. 

The AL pitching staff consists of Shane Bieber, Gerrit Cole, Kyle Gibson, Tyler Glasnow, Lance Lynn, Shohei Ohtani, Carlos Rodón, Chris Sale, José Berríos, Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks, and Ryan Pressly. 

The AL reserves are: Salvador Perez ©, Matt Olson (1B), Whit Merrifield (2B), José Ramírez (3B), Bo Bichette (SS), Xander Bogaerts (SS), Teoscar Hernández (OF), Cedric Mullins (OF), Joey Gallo (OF) and J.D. Martinez (DH).2

The NL pitching staff consists of Jacob deGrom, Kevin Gausman, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Walker Buehler, Yu Darvish, Max Scherzer, Zack Wheeler, Josh Hader, Craig Kimbrel, Mark Melancon, and Alex Reyes. 

The NL reserves are J.T. Realmuto ©, Max Muncy (1B), Ozzie Albies (2B), Kris Bryant (3B/OF), Jake Cronenworth (2B/SS/1B/3B/OF), Eduardo Escobar (3B/2B/1B/SS/OF/DH), Manny Machado (3B/SS/1B/DH), Trevor Story (SS), Bryan Reynolds (OF), Nick Castellanos (OF) and Jesse Winker (OF).2

Eight players won the fan vote for the first time in their careers, including two rookies: Heim, Díaz, Arozarena, Murphy, Arraez, Jung, Tatis Jr., and Soto. There are also 28 first-time All-Stars this year, including 15 from the NL. 

This year, there are 27 internationally-born All-Stars, representing nine different countries or territories. Eight Cuban-born players being named All-Stars is a nation’s all-time record.1

Braves To Reinstate Kolby Allard From Injured List

Allard, who the Braves acquired in a trade with the Rangers in November 2022, suffered a grade 2 right oblique strain in spring training and began the season on the injured list. When healthy, he was expected to provide rotation depth for the Braves at Triple-A.1

Allard made two rehab starts for Triple-A Gwinnett in April, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing four runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. He showed no discomfort and was cleared to rejoin the Braves active roster.2

The Braves announced on May 1 that they had reinstated Allard from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Allard will continue to pitch for the Stripers and wait for an opportunity to join the Braves rotation, which has been hit by injuries to Mike Soroka, Kyle Wright, and Ian Anderson.

FAQ

Are The Atlanta Braves Actively Pursuing Trades?

As a competitive team, the Atlanta Braves are always open to exploring trade opportunities that could enhance their roster. They actively engage in trade discussions to improve their chances of success.

Which players from the Atlanta Braves are most frequently mentioned in trade rumors?

Trade rumors often involve players considered valuable assets or garnered interest from other teams. Some notable Atlanta Braves players who have been mentioned in trade rumors in the past include pitchers like Max Fried and Mike Soroka and position players like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley.

Have there been any recent trade rumors involving the Atlanta Braves?

Trade rumors can emerge anytime, and the Atlanta Braves are no exception. To stay updated on the latest trade rumors involving the team, it is recommended to follow reputable sports news sources or reliable sports journalists who cover the Braves closely.

Which positions are the Atlanta Braves rumored to be looking to strengthen through trades?

Trade rumors often speculate on positions where teams may want to upgrade or address specific needs. For the Atlanta Braves, potential trade targets include starting pitchers, relief pitchers, or position players to bolster their lineup.

How accurate are trade rumors involving the Atlanta Braves?

Trade rumors can originate from various sources, including journalists, insiders, or industry speculations. While some rumors may have credibility, it’s important to remember that not all trade rumors come to fruition. 

Conclusion

Atlanta Braves trade rumors provide an intriguing and ever-changing narrative within the baseball community. They fuel discussions and debates among fans and analysts as they ponder the potential impact of player trades on the team’s future success. 

While not all trade rumors materialize, they offer a glimpse into the dynamic nature of the sport and the constant pursuit of teams to improve their rosters. 

Keeping an eye on Atlanta Braves trade rumors allows fans to stay engaged, speculate on potential moves, and eagerly anticipate the ever-evolving landscape of the team’s lineup. 

As the baseball season progresses, trade rumors will continue to captivate the attention of Braves fans, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.