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Atlanta Braves: What to do with Kevin Gausman? Trade Partners

By Matthew Browning

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves follows the game from the dugout after getting yanked out during the fifth inning giving up five runs on seven hits at Dodger Stadium on May 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves follows the game from the dugout after getting yanked out during the fifth inning giving up five runs on seven hits at Dodger Stadium on May 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Kevin  Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 23, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Kevin  Gausman #45 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 23, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

With Dallas Keuchel set to make his Atlanta Braves debut later next week, it seems Kevin  Gausman will be the odd man out of the starting rotation. So what happens to the struggling right-hander?

After being traded from the Baltimore Orioles at last July’s trade deadline, it seemed as if Kevin Gausman found new life in an Atlanta Braves uniform.

Long known for having the stuff but lacking the consistency needed to be a top of the rotation starting pitcher, Gausman was solid in his 10 starts with the Braves in 2018.

He went 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA, held opponents to a .227 batting average, and had a strikeout to walk ratio of 44-18.

And even though he was not chosen for the postseason rotation, it still was a foregone conclusion Gausman would be in the Atlanta Braves rotation this year.

Gausman’s first three starts this year were also good. He was 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA and 22 strikeouts to six walks.

Then came his start in Cincinnati where things started to go south in a hurry.

He allowed five earned runs in that start and five more in his next start at home against the Rockies.

Over his last 10 starts, Gausman is 1-4 with a 7.80 ERA and opponents are hitting .335 with an OPS of .930.

Last week, Gausman mysteriously went to the Injured List with Plantar Fasciitis, but in reality, it’s more of buying time to get Keuchel ready, while not watching a dumpster fire on the mound.

Sean Newcomb will fill in for Gausman Saturday against the Phillies before Keuchel will likely be ready next Friday at Washington.

But then what?

While moving Gausman to the bullpen seems like an easy move, there are other options the Braves should explore before going in that direction.

Let’s take a look at them.

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