#4) Ian Anderson
Like many other names on the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation bubble, Ian Anderson will be given his fair shot to claim the now-open fifth spot in the rotation. Given the success that he has enjoyed in certain spells up to this point in his career, there’s no doubt he can be a solid major league starter.
However, acknowledging that also means that other teams will be interested in him as well. There are a few scenarios that could entail Anderson wearing different threads in 2023. For one, if he were to struggle out of the gate and earn himself yet another minor league demotion to start the season, he could be viewed as excess goods.
This is especially true given the fact that the Braves have plenty of hungry suitors looking to claim the final spot in the rotation, such as guys like Bryce Elder, Mike Soroka, and potentially even Huascar Ynoa. If one of those three were to burst onto the scene, Anderson could very well be used as trade bait.
Even if Anderson were to improve drastically on his 5.00 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 0.9 fWAR season and become a serviceable starter, the Braves, aware of their depth at starting pitcher, could ship him away in exchange for left field or shortstop assistance in the case that those positions are desperately struggling for production.
In fact, a good season from Anderson might very well increase the Braves’ willingness to trade him at the prospect of a worthwhile return. With barely two years of service time under his belt, Anderson has plenty of control left for any interested team as well.
The starting pitching department is going to be one of the most interesting situations to monitor for the Braves, but as was the case for the left field, it isn’t the only one.