Atlanta Braves pitching rumors part deux

Yesterday the Atlanta Braves were said to have interest in Oakland’s Sonny Gray. Today brought rumors about two more potential trade targets.

.As we pondered the pros and cons of Sonny Gray,  David O’Brien writing for the AJC suggested that the Atlanta Braves might have “circled back” to a pair of starters they had discussions about last winter:  Chris Archer and Jose Quintana.

It’s been no secret that John Coppolella covets a top of the rotation arm. Just last month during an #askcoppy he said “. . . the Braves tried to acquire five-time All-Star Chris Sale and “other starters” in the past.”  That Archer and Quintana remain at the top of their board  shouldn’t shock anyone.

The market is crowded

As the trade deadline nears lots of teams are jockeying for position in the starting pitcher market.

• The Astros would like a top of the line guy to back up Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers particularly as injuries have been a factor for them this season.
• The Yankees have come back to earth in the last couple of weeks and the biggest factor in that slide was failure of the starters to do their job. GM Brian Cashman’s made it clear that if he makes a deal for a big name arm he wants to have control over a few seasons, not a rental.
• The Rockies could add an inning-eater type arm but are unlikely to splurge when Buddy Black has the youngest rotation in baseball pitching so well. Arizona would like someone to back up Grienke but they have cash issues and will want a lower cost arm if they can find one.
• Every pitcher the Dodgers get seems to go on the disabled list, so they would like an arm too – but money is one again a limiting factor. After throwing cash about like a drunken sailor for two plus years, the owners now seek prudent spending.
• The Cubs are looking as well. They have both the cash and the prospects to get their man. How much of each they want to give away if the question.
• The Nationals want a closer but their owner is cheap and their system not as strong as it once was. Boston might want to add bullpen help too but their top three starters earn $64M this year and Kimbrel makes that $77M. They sit at 197M payroll now so they addition won’t be expensive is cash terms.

And then there’s the Braves.