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Offseason speculation: Blockbuster trades the Atlanta Braves should pursue

By Kyle Walter

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on July 29, 2019 in New York City. The U.S. Federal Reserve board will meet on Wednesday and it's been reported that they will lower interest rates for the first time in a decade. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: Traders and financial professionals work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on July 29, 2019 in New York City. The U.S. Federal Reserve board will meet on Wednesday and it's been reported that they will lower interest rates for the first time in a decade. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves trade rumors
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JUNE 21: Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd #48 of the Detroit Tigers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Prospective Ace

Matthew Boyd was someone who I thought the Atlanta Braves should have tried to acquire at the trade deadline last year. He had a great season in terms of strikeouts (238) but not so good in terms of ERA (4.56) as he had a rough August.

However, I’m willing to look past the ERA because he was on the awful Tigers, whose defense was absolutely abysmal (27th overall by some measures).

The Braves postseason trip convinced me that they need another top of the rotation type pitcher. Mike Foltynewitcz is a decent pitcher, but he has never showed the consistency to be a true number one pitcher.

Mike Soroka is the Braves indisputable ace, but outside of him there isn’t anyone who I truly trust. Adding Boyd to the team can only make the rotation stronger for another trip to October.

The proposed deal:

Camargo is a good player, but he is ultimately expendable on the Braves roster as it is currently constructed.

Wilson has potential to be a great starter, but Boyd would more than fill any hole in the rotation his absence would create.

Shewmake is an intriguing prospect, but he is a shortstop, and while he’s rapidly moving through the system (AA despite just being drafted), I doubt that Dansby Swanson will be going anywhere for a while.

Shewmake was a solid hitter coming out of Texas A&M, but the Braves drafted him a little high for my taste. Detroit needs a shortstop of the future, and he could be a lottery ticket for Detroit as they feel their way through the rebuilding process.

Jenista represents a possible 1B replacement for Miggy Cabrera once his contract finally ends… but that’s still a long way off.  Regardless, this last player should be someone that the Tigers choose who might be a lottery ticket for them.

This cost was high because Boyd would be under team control for the next 3 seasons, until his free agency in 2023. That level of control is certainly attractive to a mid-market team like the Braves (at least they spend like a mid market team).

The Tigers would likely be open to moving Boyd if they received a good enough package, which I (and the simulator) believe this is. If any, though, an overpay might be necessary.

High strikeout pitchers don’t exactly grow on trees, and the Braves don’t have any of them outside of Folty, at least when he’s isn’t at his best.

If the Braves want to win a world series during this current window, they will need to be aggressive in pursuing impact players. Out of all of these deals, I would say the trade for Boyd would be the most realistic.

Next. A lack of Tender Loving Care?. dark

Hopefully ownership will allow Alex Anthopoulos to keep being aggressive this offseason in the pursuit of a World Series championship.

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