Braves predicted to make monster trade for $75M Cy Young runner-up, three-time All-Star arm

The Atlanta Braves remain atop the NL East despite enduring a difficult June in which they posted a losing record. Atlanta appears to be getting back on track after winning its series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, its first series victory since June.

The Braves are expected to be active ahead of the MLB trade deadline, something general manager Alex Anthopoulos made clear last month.

“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.

Atlanta's biggest need is adding at least one starting pitcher, if not two. Outside of Chris Sale, the rotation has lacked consistency throughout the season.

“The Atlanta Braves find themselves in desperate need of stability in their starting rotation. What started as a strength has quickly devolved into a glaring weakness. GM Alex Anthopoulos has some serious work to do at the trade deadline to get things back on track. Chris Sale is the only truly dependable arm in the rotation at the moment. Everyone else has been average at best,” HTHB’s Steven Teal wrote.

The Braves are expected to pursue some of the top starting pitchers available at the deadline, and one potential target is Sonny Gray.

“Gray, somewhat uniquely, throws a cutter-shaped fastball as his primary pitch, and it moves more toward lefties than righties. His sinker and slider both work off of tunneling with that primary cut-fastball, while his sweeper, curveball and changeup move even more off of that starting point. He always has limited walks with above-average control and command, but his deep arsenal, somewhat unique movement profile and four distinct pitches that cut away from righties give Gray lots of ways to beat you, even as his fastball velocity tails off later in his career,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan wrote.

Gray has been linked to Atlanta in trade rumors for quite some time, including last season, but this could finally be the year a deal comes together. The veteran right-hander is a three-time All-Star and finished as the Cy Young Award runner-up earlier in his career.

Gray is currently on a $75 million contract. Adding a pitcher of his caliber would provide the Braves with another reliable veteran alongside Chris Sale and help stabilize the rotation heading into the postseason. If Atlanta is unable to land Tarik Skubal, Gray could become one of its top alternative targets.

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