Braves-Padres trade idea lands $55 million starter in Atlanta, shuts door on Lucas Giolito rumors

Everyone seems to agree that the Atlanta Braves are missing something every team needs to make a deep postseason run: starting pitching depth. 

For weeks, rumors have floated that the NL East club needs more reliable arms behind Chris Sale, who is waiting for Spencer Strider to return from the injured list. Can veterans Reynaldo Lopez and Martin Perez hold down the fort for now? 

Lucas Giolito is still a free agent, likely seeking a higher-priced contract than teams are willing to offer. 

"If Atlanta could add Giolito to their roster, it would add tremendous depth," FanSided's Austin Owens wrote a few weeks ago. "Even if it is something as simple as putting Giolito in the rotation and moving Grant Holmes to the bullpen, it could make a massive difference for the Braves." 

It may be too late for the Braves to wait until the trade deadline, but if they are still in contention come August, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer has an idea that doesn't include Giolito. 

Braves named landing spot for 4.51 ERA veteran from Padres 

In all likelihood, the San Diego Padres will not be sellers at the deadline unless their season goes in an unanticipated direction. Still, Rymer tabs right-hander Nick Pivetta as a potential trade candidate for the Braves. 

"Due to its backloaded salaries and complex structure, Pivetta's contract wouldn't make a trade easy to figure out," wrote Rymer. "But for any team motivated to get a top-of-the-rotation starter, none of that would be a deal-breaker." 

Atlanta could be the team with the most motivation to get a deal done. Pivetta posted a 2.87 ERA in 181.2 innings in 2025, and he's made 30 or more starts four times in his 10-year career, dating back to his debut in 2017 with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Braves need arms, and a player of Pivetta's caliber is not someone you need to dump the farm system for to complete a deal. 

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