Braves going all-in for $32M two-time Cy Young winner, 2x All-Star, according to rival executives

It is now July, meaning the MLB trade deadline is just a month away, and trade talks are beginning to heat up. Several big names are expected to be available this trade season.

The biggest name of them all is Tarik Skubal, who is also set to be one of the most highly sought-after pitchers next summer in free agency. He has already been linked to multiple contenders, setting up what should be a very active final month leading into the deadline.

“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

Even with those teams showing serious interest in Skubal, there is growing chatter around the league that the Atlanta Braves are the favorite. It appears they are willing to do whatever it takes to land him in a trade.

“Skubal will go, with Atlanta being the favorite according to rival executives, but this decision likely will go down to the final days, if not hours, before the deadline,” Nightengale wrote.

Atlanta’s status as the frontrunner aligns with comments made by general manager Alex Anthopoulos last week, when he made it clear the team intends to be aggressive this summer.

“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I'm not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we're playing the way we are right now, we're going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.

The Braves would be taking a significant risk by acquiring Skubal, especially if it turns into a short-term rental. However, the fact they are being viewed as frontrunners is an encouraging sign of their intent.

Atlanta is signaling that it is prepared to do whatever it takes to build a World Series-caliber roster. Landing Skubal would be a major step in that direction and a clear message to the rest of the league that the Braves are all-in.

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