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MLB hot stove: top trade target for each team

By Benjamin Chase

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 07: Atlanta Braves Starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (15) pitches during the Major League Baseball NLDS game between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 7, 2018 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves had a breakthrough season in 2018 in their rebuild cycle, so they are likely looking to add, not subtract, with their major league roster. However, the Braves rebuild was built around pitching, and due to the depth of pitching that they have accumulated, they will be asked about an arm in nearly any deal that they come to the plate on.

There could be arguments for a whole host of pitchers that would be the top target for other teams, but in listening to other teams’ scouts and noting the players mentioned when they discuss big deals with Atlanta, one name continues to come to the top that has been, at least publicly, left “available”.

The top arm on any team’s list is Mike Soroka, but the Braves have made it clear that he is not moving, but in 2018, the team saw a young lefty nearly make the All-Star team with a dominant first-half performance before fading in the middle of the season. While many fans will question the desirability of a pitcher who had a 3.90 ERA and was one of the league leaders in walk percentage among qualified starters, there is plenty to like about Newcomb.

At the end of June, Newcomb sat with a sweet 8-2 record, a 2.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and he had a 40/90 BB/K over 93 innings. He then had two horrible months on the mound where nothing seemed to break his way. However, as the Phillies and Nationals were still barking at the heels of the Braves in early September, Newcomb took the mound and calmly struck out 8 over 6 one-run innings without issuing a walk. Many scouts point to that performance when talking about Newcomb’s trade value.

As 2018 was his first full season, Newcomb won’t even be arbitration eligible until after the 2020 season, and he won’t be a free agent until after 2023. With a season of 30 starts already under his belt (he’s already pitched more innings in a season than James Paxton ever has in a single season in his career!), Newcomb could end up being a key piece in a deal that allows the Braves to land a top-flight starter or a controllable, young outfield bat.

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