Braves unlikely to bolster key roster area at trade deadline: report

The Atlanta Braves’ deadline items are starting to come together, and there may not be another starting pitcher included.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Saturday that the Braves are unlikely to acquire an impact starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline.

One of the main reasons behind this decision is that their ace, Max Fried, is expected to return soon.

This report likely means that if the Braves are looking for an impact player at the deadline, it will be an outfield hitter.

However, Morosi specified “starter” in his report, so perhaps the Braves could still add a relief pitcher.

It’s also possible that their recent rout heading into the trade deadline has persuaded them to be less aggressive than they would have been just a few weeks ago.

Since the All-Star break, the Braves are 2-6 with six straight losses interspersed between those two wins.

That losing streak might have convinced general manager Alex Anthopoulous that it wasn’t worth giving up key prospects for what looks like a diminishing chance of making the 2024 World Series.

There’s another reason, however, why the Braves might not be interested in trading for a starting pitcher. Rookie starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach got off to a dominant start Saturday against the Mets, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out 11 batters in seven innings.

Schwellenbach has been solid in July with a 2.06 ERA over his last four starts. Perhaps the Braves are growing in confidence in him and believe he can step up on the playoffs’ biggest stage.

Once Fried returns, the rotation should look like this:

That’s a solid rotation for a playoff run. In theory, MLB teams only need three or four starters, so the more inconsistent Morton may not even be necessary.

The Braves are in a position to make a move at the deadline to apply pressure. They have made moves from worse positions in the past — just look at 2021. However, it is clear now that a strengthening of the rotation should not be anticipated.

The MLB trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. ET on July 30.