The recent struggles from Atlanta Braves starting pitchers only proves the team needs to trade for help at the deadline. The rotation could benefit from another arm, and so could the bullpen. However, a starter should be the priority for the Braves front office. It's a little too early for teams to make trades, but that should change in about a month. All of the eyes will be on the top names in baseball, one of those being Tigers pitcher, Tarik Skubal.
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner will become a free agent after this season. He stands to make a lot of money after this season. So, the Tigers will be motivated to find a suitor for him, unless the Tigers are magically in playoff contention.
ESPN's Jeff Passan seems to believe that the Braves are a fit for Skubal. While Atlanta definitely needs help in that department, does it make sense for them to get into a bidding war over the southpaw?
Braves are a great fit for Tarik Skubal, but it will be an uphill battle to snag him
The Braves will face steep competition from the Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays, also mentioned as fits for him. Atlanta has done a great job rebuilding their farm system, and there is plenty of talent to trade for Skubal. However, the amount the Braves would have to give up for a rental isn't ideal. Especially with the other teams mentioned. That could make the price more than AA is willing to stomach.
Now, there is a scenario that could motivate them: if Skubal signed an extension after being acquired. The likelihood of that happening is very low. He will surely want to test the market in the offseason.
There is one thing that could work in Atlanta's favor, and that's because a lockout could happen this offseason. That could motivate Skubal to try to sign an extension if the price is right. He would certainly be a welcome sight for the future rotation. His bone chip surgery had some worried about his velocity, but he's still hitting 100 mph with his fastball. So, he seems to be healthy. That would probably be Atlanta's other concern in trading for him.
However, this would be a game-changing trade for the Braves. Skubal is an extremely dependable pitcher who has great command. Atlanta would need to win the World Series to make it worthwhile for them if Skubal is simply a rental.
The chances of Skubal landing with the Braves aren't high. It just isn't AA's M.O. to go big for a rental player. If there was any year to switch things up, it would be this season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google