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What does the trade market look like for Julio Teheran and do the Atlanta Braves have options?

By Jeff Schafer

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez of the Atlanta Braves talks to pitcher Julio Teheran, left, as catcher David Freitas, right, looks on after Teheran loaded the bases with New York Mets players in the first inning at SunTrust Park on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by John Amis/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez of the Atlanta Braves talks to pitcher Julio Teheran, left, as catcher David Freitas, right, looks on after Teheran loaded the bases with New York Mets players in the first inning at SunTrust Park on September 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by John Amis/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 16: Julio Teheran #49 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on April 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 16: Julio Teheran #49 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on April 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Why would the Atlanta Braves want to get rid of Teheran?

Because his position in the rotation needs to be upgraded.

In my eyes, Teheran has moved from the #1 starter in the Braves rotation to the #3 spot due to Newcomb and Folty, or even the #4-#5 spot with the presence of Brandon McCarthy and Aníbal Sánchez.

The Braves need better pitching, and I think the first step for them to take is to get rid of Julio Teheran. A few good games out of Teheran could increase his trade value similar to how in 2017, the Atlanta Braves played Jaime García vs the Dodgers on July 21 before trading him away. This was done a week before the trade deadline in theory to boost García’s trade value. We could see something like that with Teheran before the trade deadline, or we could not. It’s all up to the new front office.

But one question I think that is important to ask yourself when thinking about departing with Teheran is this: Do you think Teheran is going to be a career-long Atlanta Brave?

My answer is no.

Teheran does better at other ballparks, and I think it’s about time for Teheran to see how he can maintain his career with another big league club. The only potential lifelong Brave that I see currently on the team is Freddie Freeman. I want to say the same thing about Ozzie Albies or Ronald Acuña, but things happen and the future is unforeseeable.

Here is a scenario to think about: Some pitchers pitch poorly with a ball club they’ve been with for a long time, and once traded away they pitch phenomenally well with a different club. I think this situation absolutely applies to Julio Teheran!

A decent example of this would be Gerrit Cole. He had a combined ERA just over four with the Pirates in 2016 and 2017. Now he is with the Astros making a case for AL MVP and or Cy Young with a 2.20 ERA, 0.833 WHIP, 116 strikeouts and a 12.8 K/9 through 12 games this season.

Teheran has the potential AND the ability to turn his performance around, but I think that just won’t happen until he is in another uniform.

Maybe once he returns from the DL, he will have a new grace and enlightenment about him and his play style. Maybe.

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