Braves predicted to make blockbuster trade for $56M Cy Young winner to pair with Chris Sale

The Atlanta Braves are still trying to sort out some questions regarding their pitching rotation. The biggest concern has been the starting staff, especially after the injury to Spencer Schwellenbach was revealed.

“The Braves opened camp this morning with an unwelcome update on talented young righty Spencer Schwellenbach. He’s been placed on the 60-day injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The team’s hope is that the 25-year-old is dealing with bone spurs and not something more nefarious,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams wrote.

Atlanta knew it needed pitching when the offseason began but did not address the issue in a major way. However, the organization could now have some financial flexibility following the suspension of Jurickson Profar.

“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

With that money potentially freed up, the Braves could explore the trade market. One appealing option is NL East rival Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.

“The surface-level appeal of trading for Alcantara at some point this year is understandable. Alcantara is a recognizable name who won a Cy Young in 2022 and who throws hard. He has also been a popular trade target in general for a few years now, so there is always going to be some conversation as to where Alcantara will end up among the teams that need pitching help,” HTHB’s Eric Cole wrote.

The Braves would benefit greatly from acquiring Alcantara, and pairing him with a fully healthy rotation could make Atlanta’s pitching staff one of the most dangerous in baseball. The organization is looking for stability moving forward, which is exactly what the former Cy Young winner could provide.

A potential rotation featuring Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Alcantara, and Schwellenbach would be formidable. Atlanta needs another reliable arm, and few options are better than the former Cy Young winner.

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