Braves predicted to trade for $77M strikeout monster, sending top prospect to pair with Paul Skenes

The Atlanta Braves have opened Spring Training, just like every other team around the league. Last season, Atlanta’s main problem was keeping the pitching staff healthy. Before day one officially began, the Braves revealed that starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach would begin the season injured.

“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.

Braves first-year manager Walt Weiss has been asked what is next for Atlanta, and he believes that GM Alex Anthopoulos could be actively working the phones.

“I know Alex has already been [searching],” Weiss said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Alex is on the phone doing whatever he can. Whether anything comes of it, I don’t know. But I know Alex is in relentless pursuit of improving this roster.”

FanSided’s Mark Powell believes the Braves should trade for Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mitch Keller, giving up Nacho Alvarez Jr., JR Ritchie, and Eli White.

“If Ben Cherington and Bob Nutting are serious about contending, then they should trade from their surplus of starting pitchers. In return, they receive a top-100 prospect in Ritchie, who could join Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler in the not-so-distant future. Two areas the Pirates are thin in on their MLB roster are third base – which the 25-year-old Alvarez would fill – and the outfield. White is not close to the bat the Pirates would want in their outfield, but he can play all three positions, and Pittsburgh is limited with Ryan O'Hearn, Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Jake Mangum shouldering the load,” Powell wrote.

Getting Keller would be a great pickup, but giving up one of the organization’s best pitching prospects might not make it worth it. However, it would improve the rotation, especially if Schwellenbach has to miss the entire season.

The Braves are already becoming desperate for pitching, and the season hasn’t even started yet, giving a glimpse of last season’s struggles. Atlanta is expected to attempt a deal like this before Spring Training is fully underway.

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