Braves predicted to trade for $115M former Cy Young winner in move to fill Spencer Strider void

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Braves predicted to trade for $115M former Cy Young winner in move to fill Spencer Strider void originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are trying to right the ship as they navigate their first rough patch of the season. Atlanta is coming off a 1-4 road trip against the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.

Despite the recent struggles, the Braves still sit atop the NL East with 46 wins. The trade deadline figures to be an exciting one for Atlanta, as general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already hinted that moves will be made.

“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.

However, over the weekend, the urgency to add to the starting rotation became even greater. Spencer Strider is expected to miss time with an elbow injury.

“The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his throwing elbow. Right-hander Anthony Molina was called up from Triple-A in the corresponding 26-man roster move. The placement comes a day after Strider was removed during the fourth inning of Friday’s 7-5 loss to the Mets,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Mark Polishuk wrote.

The Braves need to pursue a veteran starter who can help fill the void while Strider is sidelined. HTHB’s Steven Teal believes that pitcher could be left-hander Robbie Ray.

“Ray is in the final year of his 5-year, $115 million contract. It's not been a very impressive season for the lefty with a 4.42 ERA over 14 starts (73 innings), including 36 walks and 66 strikeouts. He has great offspeed run value, but the rest of his metrics are not very impressive. He's far from the 2021 Cy Young winner he used to be, but he has experience and could be an innings eater,” Teal wrote.

Atlanta is likely going to have to make a move, and if the rotation continues to struggle, that move may need to come sooner rather than later. Ray is a former Cy Young Award winner, so a change of scenery to a contender could help revive his season.

Ray would be an intriguing rental option, and the Braves could even explore bringing him back in free agency if both sides are pleased with the fit. With so much uncertainty surrounding Atlanta's rotation, adding a veteran like Ray could provide much-needed stability.

More MLB news:

• Phillies predicted to trade for $5.2M Gold Glove finalist, power bat to fill Adolis Garcia void​

• Braves-Red Sox trade pitch sends Cy Young arm to Atlanta in urgent fix amid Spencer Strider injury​

• Yankees predicted to trade for AL rival $9M 2-time All-Star as potential Ryan McMahon replacement​

• Giants reportedly exploring trade offers for $646M veteran trio after abysmal start to season​

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