The Atlanta Braves’ pitching rotation just took a significant hit with the revelation that Garrett Crochet, the newly acquired left-handed reliever, will miss the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. This news, which was a major blow for the Braves, adds urgency to their search for additional pitching depth. While the Braves still have a solid core in their rotation, this unforeseen injury leaves the team with a glaring hole to fill. To maintain their championship aspirations, the Braves will need to act quickly and decisively in the trade market to reinforce their pitching staff. Here are three emergency trades the Braves should consider to solidify their rotation.
1. **Trade for a Proven Veteran Starter – Eduardo Rodriguez (Detroit Tigers)**
The first move the Braves should consider is acquiring a veteran starting pitcher to help stabilize the rotation. One potential target is **Eduardo Rodriguez** of the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez, a left-handed starter, has been an effective pitcher throughout his career, and he would add stability and experience to a rotation that already includes ace Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton. Rodriguez has shown he can eat innings and pitch at a high level, with a 3.40 ERA in 2023.
Rodriguez is under contract through the 2024 season, making him a good short-term option for the Braves as they look to fill the gap left by Crochet’s injury. Detroit, currently in a rebuilding phase, may be open to trading Rodriguez for a package of prospects or a combination of young talent and major-league-ready pieces. The Braves could offer a few of their strong minor league players, such as pitchers like **Jared Shuster** or **Dylan Dodd**, to sweeten the deal. Rodriguez’s ability to start consistently would immediately solidify the back end of the Braves’ rotation and provide much-needed depth for a postseason run.
2. **Acquire a High-Upside Young Arm – Hunter Brown (Houston Astros)**
Another route the Braves should explore is trading for a young pitcher with high upside. **Hunter Brown** of the Houston Astros could be an intriguing option. The 25-year-old right-hander was highly regarded as one of the top prospects in the Astros’ system and made his MLB debut in 2022. Brown showed flashes of brilliance in his first full season in the big leagues, posting a 4.01 ERA with 157 strikeouts in 141.2 innings in 2023. His electric fastball and developing secondary pitches make him an enticing option for the Braves.
The Astros are a team that has a deep rotation, with stars like Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez leading the way, and they may be willing to move Brown if the right package comes along. The Braves could potentially trade a combination of MLB-ready players or top-tier prospects to acquire Brown. His age and potential upside make him a perfect fit for a Braves team looking to maintain long-term success while also bolstering their current rotation. Trading for Brown could be a win-win, offering the Braves both immediate help and future stability in their pitching staff.
3. **Trade for an Established Strikeout Artist – Lucas Giolito (Los Angeles Angels)**
A third emergency trade option for the Braves could be targeting **Lucas Giolito**, an established starting pitcher with a proven track record of generating strikeouts. Giolito, who pitched for the Chicago White Sox and is now with the Los Angeles Angels, has been a reliable arm for much of his career, making multiple All-Star teams and posting strong strikeout numbers. While Giolito’s ERA dipped a bit in 2023, he still had a solid strikeout rate (9.4 strikeouts per nine innings) and could provide the Braves with an additional punch in the rotation.
Giolito is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season, which makes him a prime candidate for a trade if the Angels are not in contention. If the Braves can offer a strong package of prospects or major-league-ready talent, they may be able to acquire Giolito to bolster their rotation. His experience in high-leverage situations and his ability to miss bats would make him an ideal addition to the Braves’ pitching staff as they chase a World Series title.
The injury to Garrett Crochet is a setback for the Braves, but it also presents an opportunity to strengthen their rotation through the trade market. By targeting established veterans like Eduardo Rodriguez or Lucas Giolito or acquiring a young, high-upside arm like Hunter Brown, the Braves can fill the void left by Crochet and improve their overall pitching depth. These moves would not only provide short-term stability but also reinforce the Braves’ long-term vision of sustained success. Given the competitive nature of the NL East and the team’s championship aspirations, the Braves need to act fast to secure their pitching rotation before the start of the 2024 season.
