Braves predicted to make monster trade for $6.1M All-Star to save flailing rotation with Chris Sale

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Braves predicted to make monster trade for $6.1M All-Star to save flailing rotation with Chris Sale originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are hoping to find their rhythm in July after being caught flat-footed throughout June. Atlanta knows the All-Star break is just a week away and is looking to finish the first half of the season on a high note.

The trade deadline will be extremely important, as the Braves know they still have holes to fill on the roster. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has already hinted that the team plans to be aggressive.

“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.

The starting rotation is widely viewed as the club's biggest area of need. Outside of Chris Sale, the group has been inconsistent.

“How the Atlanta Braves should line up their current rotation options has been a source of debate due to injuries and struggles from what were productive pieces. With this in mind, it is fair to realize that any way that the current group shakes out is going to have a fair share of question marks outside of Chris Sale,” ATL All Day’s Nick Halden wrote.

The Braves are expected to pursue at least one starting pitcher. ESPN’s David Schoenfield predicts Atlanta could target Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.

“The Braves' rotation had a 3.12 ERA in April and 3.22 in May, but it was over 4.00 for June as Bryce Elder struggled and Spencer Strider landed on the IL (with a 5.31 ERA). Once you get past Chris Sale, are the Braves comfortable with anybody else lining up to start the second game of a playoff series? Spencer Schwellenbach hasn't even begun a rehab assignment, so he remains out of the picture. Atlanta needs another front-line starter. Ryan won't be cheap, as he is arguably the best starter who might be available aside from Skubal, plus he is under team control through 2027,” Schoenfield wrote.

Ryan would provide the Braves with a much more reliable option than several members of their current rotation. Atlanta appears willing to do whatever it takes at the deadline because it believes it has a roster capable of competing for a World Series.

Ryan is making $6.1 million this season and remains under team control beyond this year. If the Braves acquire the right-hander, they would be adding a front-line starter who could strengthen the rotation for more than just the remainder of this season.

More MLB news:

• Braves reportedly sign $131M former MVP, Gold Glove winner to turn around collapsing season​

• Braves predicted to make monster trade for $182M power bat, elite defender to replace Ha-Seong Kim​

• Braves' latest roster move is bad news for struggling Ha-Seong Kim with All-Star break looming​

• Braves reporter urges organization to part ways with $20M undperforming Gold Glove winner​

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