With the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline now less than four weeks away, the Atlanta Braves are among the top teams that could be looking to add to their pitching rotation. A combination of health issues could prompt the Braves to look for such additions, according to reports.
The deadline is set for 3rd August at 6 p.m. ET, and the demand for starting pitching across the league is notably high. All but six teams in the Majors were within 5½ games of a playoff spot as of Thursday, including eight clubs with sub-.500 records.
Teams Scramble for Pitching Reinforcements
The need for starting pitching is a common theme across the league, with the average ERA among starters standing at 4.26. Only nine clubs currently boast rotations with a mark lower than 4.00, indicating a widespread requirement for improvement on the mound.
Of the 18 clubs whose rotation ERA is higher than the league average, 12 are part of the 24-team playoff picture. This suggests that a significant number of teams expected to be buyers in the coming weeks will be actively hunting for a starting pitcher, or possibly even two or three.
One American League executive noted that “Every team needs a starter.” This executive also added that starters are “the easiest players to move at the Deadline and often, [they’re] the ones that bring back the best return.”
For some of the league’s top teams, including the Braves, Dodgers, and Yankees, health issues are a factor that could lead them to seek rotation additions. Other clubs, such as the Brewers and Rays, might look to the market due to workload concerns within their pitching staffs.
A handful of surprise contenders, including the Nationals, Cardinals, and Marlins, could also look to strengthen their respective staffs if they aim to secure a spot in October. It is genuinely arguable that every potential buyer could be in the market for a starting pitcher, creating a clear case of supply and demand.
Key Arms Potentially Available
Sellers with arms to move are therefore likely to receive healthy returns when the deadline passes. While a dozen names are currently being discussed as potential trade candidates, two prominent pitchers detailed include Sandy Alcantara and Reid Detmers.
Sandy Alcantara, a right-handed pitcher for the Marlins, is under club control through the 2027 season, with a $21 million club option for 2027 remaining before he becomes a free agent. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner is in his second season back after Tommy John surgery and has led the Majors in 2026 with 123 2/3 innings.
Despite a 4.00 ERA this season, which is higher than his 2.28 Cy Young year, the 30-year-old has been in strong form recently, with a 7-0 record and a 2.98 ERA over his past seven starts. Alcantara has regained his fastball velocity, ranking in the 91st percentile, and is in the upper third of the league for both walk percentage and hard-hit percentage, alongside a 65th percentile ranking in ground-ball percentage.
The Marlins were tied for the second NL Wild Card spot as of Thursday, meaning it is possible they might not sell despite being ahead of schedule. However, with Alcantara’s contract situation, a trade for controllable talent could be an option if the Marlins choose to move him.
Another name on the list is Reid Detmers, a left-handed pitcher for the Angels, who remains under club control through the 2028 season. The Angels, with a 36-56 record, are currently last in the AL, but Detmers is described as having a solid year as he entered his most recent start.
As the 3rd August deadline approaches, the market for starting pitchers is expected to intensify. The Braves, alongside other top clubs, will be assessing their options closely as they look to address any health-related concerns within their rotation and bolster their chances for a strong finish to the season.