The Atlanta Braves are one of the best teams in all of baseball. However, there have been some bumps in the road in the first two months of the season. Their offense hasn’t been as dominant but the biggest concern is in their pitching rotation. Spencer Strider is out for the year, and while other pitchers have stepped up in the short term, it is hard to see the level of success continue. According to a USA Today report, the Braves already have their eye on Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zach Eflin.
Atlanta Braves To Target Zach Eflin?
Even though the Atlanta Braves have gotten great numbers out of Chris Sale, Max Fried, and Reynaldo Lopez, every team needs more pitching depth. Injuries happen, and players experience hot and cold months. Bob Nightengale of USA Today snuck in this nugget at the end of one of his lengthy baseball articles.
“Atlanta is keeping a close eye on Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Eflin if they decide they need another starter at the trade deadline.”
Eflin had a career year in 2023 when he finished sixth in the AL Cy Young voting. His 2024 has not been quite as dominant. He currently has a 4.12 ERA, though that is the highest it has been since 2021. The Atlanta Braves might be able to get him cheaper because of his struggles and put him on a team with an elite offense.
Win Now Mode
The Atlanta Braves want to win now which makes the trade for Zach Eflin more plausible. Elfin is 30 years old and isn’t signed to a long-term contract. The Braves do not care about three to four years down the road. They want to put together a World Series team and try to put trophies in the trophy case. It will be a tall task with the Los Angeles Dodgers looming, but the Braves hope that, with an elite pitching staff, they can shut down any offense.
We are still months away from the trade deadline, but the rumor mill has already started. The season is almost through two months, and we have a good idea of what teams like the Atlanta Braves need to push them over the edge. Can this team take down the Dodgers and other contenders in the National League?
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Matt Brown has been following sports since he was a kid. It does not matter what sport he is talking about; he tends to be an expert in it. When he is not glued to following sports, he is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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