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Atlanta Braves: What to do with Kevin Gausman? Trade Partners

By Matthew Browning

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves follows the game from the dugout after getting yanked out during the fifth inning giving up five runs on seven hits at Dodger Stadium on May 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves follows the game from the dugout after getting yanked out during the fifth inning giving up five runs on seven hits at Dodger Stadium on May 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – MAY 03: Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves is ejected from the game by umpire Jeff Nelson #45 after throwing at Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Marlins Park on May 3, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MAY 03: Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves is ejected from the game by umpire Jeff Nelson #45 after throwing at Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins in the second inning at Marlins Park on May 3, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Trade Ideas

While this seems like a far-fetched notion, perhaps there is a team in need of a starting pitcher that can part with a bad contract from their bullpen.

It would be very similar to the Swarzak trade with the Mariners that sent Jesse Biddle and Arodys Vizcaino to the Mariners.

There are a couple of teams who are in “contention” in the AL that do not want to add long-term pieces that might be willing to take a flier on Gausman, who is a free agent after next season.

Gausman is currently making $9.35 million in his second year in arbitration.

Here are the teams:

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Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are currently 33-34, but 2.5 games out of the second wild card in the American League.

Outside of Lucas Giolito, their rotation has an ERA of 6.49, so perhaps taking a risk on Gausman could work.

Kelvin Herrera signed a two-year deal worth $18 million with a vesting option last offseason but has struggled mightily this season.

He has appeared in 28 games and carries an ERA of 6.58. He also has the highest FIP (4.58) of any full season of his career.

Maybe the Braves take a flier on Herrera, who is a year removed from a 1.05 ERA with the Royals during the first three months.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels rotation is a mess and yet they are tied with the White Sox in the wild card standings.

The lowest ERA in their rotation is Griffin Canning, who has a 3.65 ERA.

Similar to Gausman, Luis Garcia is in his second year of arbitration but is making only $1.65 million.

The Braves could perhaps add some cash to balance those numbers, as well a lesser prospect.

Verdict

Let’s be honest, I was looking for a needle in a haystack here.

Unless Alex Anthopoulos is willing to attach a prospect with Gausman, which seems highly unlikely, then a trade won’t happen.

Moving Gausman to the bullpen for the rest of the season makes the most sense, barring a miraculous trade.

Then the Atlanta Braves can non-tender him in the offseason.

Next. Bonus pool money. dark

It’s really a shame because I liked the trade last July and thought a change of scenery would do Gausman well.

It briefly did, but the writing is on the wall now.

His time in Atlanta is winding down.

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