The Braves should look to trade for a starting pitcher.
The Atlanta Braves are likely not done making moves this offseason. The question is whether or not they will bring in a star or not. A recent report suggested that the Braves are more likely to sign a free agent starting pitcher as opposed to trading for a starter. However, is that the best decision?
The Braves are reportedly hesitant to surrender their top prospects in a deal. With that being said, Atlanta could receive better starting pitching options in a potential trade.
The best starters who are currently available in free agency are Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen and Ranger Suarez. Gallen is fresh off a down season, but all three hurlers are quality options. There are not many teams around the league that would complain about having any of the starters on their roster.
If the Braves turn to a trade, though, they could look to get a younger starter with multiple years of team control remaining. It would be a better move financially. While moving on from prospects can be risky, it could be worth it.
Which Starting Pitcher Should Braves Trade For?
Pitchers such as MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals or Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins may emerge as options. Both would require a respectable trade package, but they would boost the Braves' rotation for years to come.
Of course, the idea of a Tarik Skubal trade may be intriguing, but he would probably require too big of a trade return for the Braves. Even if Atlanta features enough talent to entice Detroit, the Braves may be unwilling to give up such a significant trade haul.
So, perhaps Skubal will not be the pitcher they trade for, but guys like Cabrera and Gore could make sense. There are other starters on the trade market who may be of interest to Atlanta as well.
Would turning to free agency and signing one of the aforementioned three starters be a bad move? No, but there is risk. Each of the big three pitchers remaining in free agency is 30 years old or older, and they may end up wanting a long-term contract. The chance of decline is something that obviously comes with risk.
Gore and Cabrera, meanwhile, are just 26 and 27 years old. They are both on the trade market, so the Braves would be smart to at least inquire about the possibility of acquiring them.