Braves proposed blockbuster lands $5 million World Series champion pitcher

The Atlanta Braves' trade deadline plans are completely in flux.

Even after their dreadful start to the year, the Braves have publicly stated their intentions not to sell. But ace Chris Sale's fractured rib leaves them at long odds to make the playoffs, considering they're already seven games out of a Wild Card spot.

Still, if Atlanta can keep themselves in the hunt ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline, they should be willing to make an addition or two rather than trading away their free-agents-to-be. And with Sale hitting the injured list, another starting pitcher seems like the ideal target.

One baseball writer foresees the Braves pursuing a World Series champion to bolster their rotation.

On Sunday. Steven Teal of FanSided named Pittsburgh Pirates starter Andrew Heaney, who won a ring with the 2023 Texas Rangers, as a top prospective deadline target for this Braves squad.

"Heaney surprised everyone with an electric start to the season but he's cooled off recently. However, the lefty is still sporting a 3-6 record with a 3.94 ERA over 82.1 innings," Teal wrote.

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"He's not going to blow anyone's doors off but he would be a dependable arm at a relatively low cost (he is owed $5.25 million this season) with postseason experience."

Heaney, 34, won't blow anyone away with pure stuff. But he eats innings, and he seems like exactly the mold of veteran pitcher who excels once he arrives in Atlanta and gets a chance to work with the Braves' pitching brain trust.

The Pirates will be motivated to sell, so the real question here is whether the Braves will stick around in the playoff hunt long enough to feel confident they can buy.

More MLB: Braves urged to acquire $39 million two-time All-Star to replace Chris Sale