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Atlanta Braves trade target: Andrew Heaney

By Josh Mathews

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 28: Andrew Heaney #42 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 28, 2020 in Anaheim, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 28: Andrew Heaney #42 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 28, 2020 in Anaheim, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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The days continue to tick away until Monday’s MLB trading deadline. The Atlanta Braves are shopping for starting pitching upgrades, or perhaps any pitcher that could provide length and consistency down the stretch.

While the Atlanta Braves have Max Fried heading the rotation, it’s been tough going to find a second starter to perform behind him. Ian Anderson represents the Atlanta Braves’ biggest hope internally, but he has yet to make his second major league start. Robbie Erlin has been serviceable, but everyone else has been vastly inconsistent.

When looking at trade candidates, it’s a thin pool, but another Angels hurler (not named Julio Teheran) that could be of service is veteran Andrew Heaney.

With the Angels at the bottom of the AL West, chances are good that they could look to move players for whatever they could get for them. I’m not suggesting a prospect rich package of Cristian Pache and Drew Waters for a pitcher of Heaney’s caliber (this is becoming a classic Atlanta Braves fan overreact) but a lower end deal for someone that could provide an upgrade and veteran experience.

Heaney’s 2020 looks like many of his others to date. He’s 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA over seven starts with a respectable 1.24 WHIP. Simply put, he doesn’t walk many batters and can be rather nasty. He started in the Miami Marlins organization but was traded to Dodgers in a three-team deal that landed the Marlins Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas. He was flipped again the same day to the Angels for Howie Kendrick.

The lefty’s best season came in 2018 after years of bouncing between AAA and the majors. He went 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA striking out 180 batters and in 180 innings pitched while walking only 45. His strikeout numbers have remained strong throughout his career as he’s fanned 461 batters in 467.1 frames.

Would this be an acquisition that puts the Atlanta Braves in the world series? Likely, no. However, Heaney provides an affordable option with a year of team control left through arbitration. The Atlanta Braves would have options, and if the price was right, could bring him into camp next year as possible competition for a back of the rotation spot.

Next. Trade target: Alex Cobb. dark

With this and other trade candidate articles, Tomahawk Take is trying to bring you a full view of the possibilities that the Atlanta Braves could explore. After all, we all want a championship and if a player like Andrew Heaney can be acquired at a reasonable cost to help win one in 2020, let’s do it.

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