The Atlanta Braves have lost a few starting pitching targets over the last 24 hours. Former Braves ace Max Fried inked an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees. After that, Nathan Eovaldi who the Braves were linked to, decided to rejoin the Rangers on a three-year, $75 million deal.
Despite this, there was still hope Atlanta could work out a trade for one of the most sought after pitchers in Major League Baseball. Garrett Crochet has been of interest for the Braves since last Summer but the asking price was very high.
Adding Crochet would have helped ease the concern many Braves fans have about this offseason. Unforunately, it seems the dream of adding the flamethrowing lefty to Atlanta's rotation is now dead.
The Boston Red Sox have worked out a trade that will send Crochet to pitch at Fenway Park in 2025 and beyond. Chicago will receive Boston's fourth-best prospect, Kyle Teel, along with other top prospects in the deal. Those prospects are Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez.
White Sox acquiring Garrett Crochet from Red Sox for catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez, sources tell @TheAthletic. First: @byJulianMack
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2024
Braves lose key trade target as Red Sox swing blockbuster trade for Garrett Crochet
This is a hefty haul for Crochet as Boston just gave away their 4th, 5th, 11th, and 14th ranked prospects, respectively. Boston will have the lefty ace for at least two years unless they choose to extend him after acquiring him which was apparently a stipulation by Crochet at this year's trade deadline.
Atlanta missing out on this opportunity to land one of the best pitchers in baseball stings. They need to add an impact arm to replace Max Fried's absence. However, it's important to remember the Braves have a pretty solid rotation with Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, and eventually Spencer Strider for 2025. The team could always bring back Charlie Morton to round off that list and it would be a solid rotation.
However, it's hard not to feel like Atlanta keeps missing out on the right players. It's hard to know what Chicago would have wanted from the Braves in this deal but if we look at the same prospect ranks, Atlanta would have needed to let go of Nacho Alvarez Jr, Drake Baldwin, Luis Guanipa, and Jhancarlos Lara.
The field for quality starting pitching continues to shrink and the Braves will need to act fast if they hope to have an impact move to address their needs. Fans should have faith in AA but it's easy to understand the anxiety they may be feeling.