The whole 2024 season was a pitching depth issue for the Atlanta Braves. Despite having a strong top four in their starting lineup, Spencer Strider’s injury raised serious concerns about the last spot. The Braves lost Charlie Morton and Max Fried in free agency this winter, but neither starter was replaced.
To replace this gifted pair, they will have to make a huge move. Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report recently forecast that the Braves will make a blockbuster trade to acquire Dylan Cease, the star player for the San Diego Padres.
According to Spotrac, Cease is approaching the last year of his deal and is expected to sign a free agent contract for $108 million the following winter.
The whole offer Rymer made to move Cease to the Braves is as follows: The Atlanta Braves are given: RHP Dylan Cease The San Diego Padres acquire C Drake Baldwin (number five prospect) and RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (number two prospect).
David O’Brien of The Athletic stated that the strikeout-happy righty is “expected to have more or less a normal spring training,” despite the fact that the 26-year-old just underwent extensive elbow surgery less than a year ago.Rymer noted, “If so, he could return early in 2025.” “Despite this, there is a noticeable lack of consistency in Atlanta’s rotation.
After all, Charlie Morton and Max Fried are no longer with us.The Braves should also be concerned about the age of Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale in addition to Strider’s durability. March 30 is his 36th birthday. The Braves would have to pay a high price for this approach, but Cease doesn’t have to be a temporary solution.
The Braves would have to pay a hefty price to get Cease, but it would be well worth it if they could secure him for an extension. This is a team that enjoys extending contracts. Despite his talent, Baldwin is not as good as Sean Murphy in Atlanta. With Cease joining the Braves in this trade, Smith-Shawver, despite his brilliance, would have a lot of young talent ahead of him. It is possible that the Braves may regret this transaction if Cease does not sign an extension.
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