Braves get huge trade deadline update on Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, and Joe Ryan

The Atlanta Braves are sitting atop the NL East, and even atop all of Major League Baseball right now. They have one of the best teams in the league, and are getting Drake Baldwin back this week as well.

This team is great, but there is still room for improvement at the trade deadline. While outfield and shortstop help couldn't hurt, adding a frontline starting pitcher seems to be the top need for this team right now.

Former MLB GM Jim Bowden for The Athletic revealed a big trade deadline expectation for the Braves that impacts Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, and Joe Ryan.

Braves trade deadline has big Skubal, Ryan, Peralta impact

"There is no doubt in my mind that Alex (Anthopolous) will prioritize adding a top starter if he thinks he can land an ace such as Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, or Freddy Peralta," Bowden writes.

The Braves adding Skubal, Peralta, or Ryan would be the exact kind of boost this club needs in their starting rotation.

Chris Sale has been great, and they've been getting good production from Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Martin Perez, and the other pitchers who've taken turns in the rotation.

But, with Spencer Strider on the injured list, and the other non-Sale starters being a little more uncertain, it would make sense for the Braves to swing big for another ace-level pitcher this summer.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

Alex Anthopolous has a chance to chase a World Series title this year, and as Bowden writes, "Watch for him to go big at this year's deadline for an elite starter."

The Detroit Tigers might not want to trade Skubal, but the Braves have the ammo to offer a deal that's hard to refuse. The New York Mets probably don't want to trade Peralta to an NL East rival, but the Braves might have the best offer on the table.

Ryan from the Twins might be the most realistic option of these three trade targets, and he would be a great pickup, adding a right-handed ace to pair with the lefty Sale.

Skubal would be the dream scenario, and based on Bowden's "no doubt" belief, a Skubal trade does seem somewhat realistic for this Braves team this summer.

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