Team set to select top pitcher in MLB trade

It doesn’t appear general manager Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves are letting their injuries affect them ahead of Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline.

Atlanta entered MLB action today with a 56-48 record and firmly in the National League playoff race despite those injuries.

Anthopoulos and his team have been linked to some big names less than 24 hours before the trade deadline. That’s somewhat surprising given that starting pitcher Spencer Strider and star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. are both out for the season.

We now have another update on the Braves’ trade deadline plans with Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporting that Atlanta is in the draw for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

“The Braves are among the teams considering a move to sign White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. It makes sense for them if they can get a good return,” Heyman reported. “They have several injuries/concerns at the top of their rotation and Crochet’s salary ($800,000) is very reasonable.”

Related: Prominent MLB insider links Atlanta Braves to pursuit of four-time All-Star to replace Ronald Acuna Jr.

Atlanta Braves could benefit from starting pitching upgrade before MLB trade deadline

As noted above, Strider is out for the season with an elbow injury. Max Fried is expected to return from injured reserve. Meanwhile, Chris Sale (13-3, 2.68 ERA) and Reynaldo López (7-4, 2.06 ERA) headline Atlanta.

Other than that, the starting rotation has been up and down. Charlie Morton (4.16 ERA) and Spencer Schwellenbach (4.06 ERA) have been inconsistent.

Acquiring Crochet from the last-place White Sox would help round out that rotation heading into the final stretch. The 25-year-old left-hander is pitching to a 3.23 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 160 batters in 114.1 innings this season.

Crochet is also under team control through the 2026 season, meaning his acquisition wouldn’t be cheap. But he would be a long-term option for Atlanta.