Braves rumors: What can Braves fans expect from a Julio Teheran trade?

Where could Julio go?

While I don’t think Braves rumors will be kicking out trade packages akin to the Quintana deal, the Cole deal last offseason seems like a solid spot in overall value to start. Another deal for a pitcher who has produced much less value is the Sonny Gray deal, where there were multiple ceiling prospects, but none that were highly rated. Let’s look at who may have interest in Teheran…

Houston Astros

A year after making a move for Cole, they could definitely make another move. The Astros have two starters that are free agents, and they just lost Lance McCullers, Jr. to Tommy John surgery, so suddenly a starter is a definite need. While the two elite prospects in the Astros system are almost certainly off-limits in a deal, a deal focused around outfielder Yordan Alvarez would be a big win for the Braves. One that would make a lot of sense would be a move that included two of catcher prospect Garrett Stubbs, outfielder J.J. Matijevic, and infielder Jonathan Arauz to headline along with an arm or two.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox will have an opening in their rotation this year, and with three lefties and a righty in their rotation, getting another right-hander would be excellent. The issue that will be part of the deal will be finding a match in players. The Red Sox’s top prospects are corner infielders, which is not exactly something the Braves really need. I could see shortstop C.J. Chatham being a key point of any deal, but the Red Sox do have a number of intriguing arms.

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Los Angeles Angels

With injury issues and depth issues, the Angels do have a definite need for a guy who can be counted on to give them innings in their rotation. Teheran could be that for them, and while many don’t realize it yet, the Angels farm system has taken huge steps forward over the last two years (with multiple of the players coming from the Braves). Of course, I’m a huge Livan Soto fan, and if the team could get him back in a Teheran deal, I’d be a huge fan of that. Other than that, two infielders could also make sense for the Braves in David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo along with a host of quality arms.

Chicago White Sox

While the farm system took a step back in 2018, the White Sox still have a top 5-10 system in the entire game, so moving Teheran would be very feasible. Interestingly, the White Sox moved away Quintana just 18 months ago, but they also have been rumored to be taking a big step in free agency this offseason, and if they do, they would need pitching badly. The guys that would likely headline a deal would be catchers Seby Zavala and Zack Collins. I’m a big fan of Luis Gonzalez, who could be an excellent option for a deal, and there are multiple arms the Braves could target as well.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have a definite need in the rotation for someone who can eat some innings. They also have a glut of outfielders, and Domingo Santana would be a tremendous fit. How the two sides would balance out is anyone’s guess, but it’d be a deal that would definitely benefit both sides.

Minnesota Twins

Akin to the Brewers, the Twins have outfielders that are expendable. The Twins have Brent Rooker very near ready in the minors with top prospect Alex Kirilloff coming fast. That leaves young corner outfielders Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler available. There are a host of reasons that I’m much more a fan of Kepler than Rosario, but either would be a solid fit, and there’s probably something more on each side to make the deal work for both teams, but it could be a solid move for both sides.

So, there are definitely some possible deals that would help the Atlanta Braves. If you hear Braves rumors about Julio Teheran, these could be the teams that come into play.