The Atlanta Braves are reportedly looking for starting pitching at the trade deadline, and will use their farm system to get it.
The Atlanta Braves seem to like what they see so far in 2017. Their 44-45 record and 6.0 game deficit for the second wild card spot has prompted them into hopefully beefing up their starting rotation.
While a second-half surge that leads into the postseason might be a stretch right now, the Braves are certainly nearing the end of their rebuild. Reports suggest the team is eyeing a controllable, front-end of the rotation starter that will lead their breakout in 2018.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Atlanta sent its top scout to Detroit for the weekend to analyze Tigers’ starters Justin Verlander and Michael Fulmer. Bowman responded to a fan later and clarified Fulmer being the more likely target in the deal.
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Although, Verlander and Fulmer may be a bit improbable. Verlander’s contract is too big to move and Detroit sees Fulmer as a key to their success for the next five to ten years. The 24-year old Fulmer has what the Braves like, though: a controllable contract. The reigning Rookie of the Year is under team control through 2023. A 10-6 record and a 3.06 ERA while coming off the first All-Star appearance of his career would typically draw interest, too.
The Braves were apparently big on Jose Quintana before he was traded cross-town to the Chicago Cubs. Albies, the seventh best prospect in all of baseball, was one piece mentioned that would have gone the other way.
Along with Verlander, Fulmer, and Quintana, Atlanta has also been linked to Chris Archer and Sonny Gray. After missing out on the former White Sox lefty, who they were apparently close to getting, it’ll be interesting to see how general manager John Coppolella treats the July 31 trade deadline.
For Coppolella, dealing for a top-tier starter would require digging into his farm system, which just so happens to be the best in the game. Ozzie Albies, Kevin Maitan, and Kolby Allard are the three biggest names in an organization rich of young talent.
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He should be able to utilize the farm system to his advantage, and reel in a pitcher of ace-status that will bring the Braves to contention starting next season.