The Atlanta Braves’ starting pitching plans have take many unintended twists and turns this season.
Spencer Strider suffered a hamstring injury in his first start after returning from elbow surgery, and Reynaldo López is questionable to return during the regular season after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. That’s brought AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes into the picture.
Strider is nearing his return, which means one of the three names above will have to exit the rotation. But all three have pitched well of late, which leaves the Braves with a difficult decision.
However, one baseball writer believes Atlanta should be opportunistic and get something for Elder, who has the most up-and-down track record of the bunch, before they have to demote him from the rotation.
Earlier this week, Nick Halden of FanSided called Elder a “prime trade candidate” and urged the Braves to trade him away in anticipation of Strider’s return to the rotation.
“Trading Bryce Elder makes sense when you consider that the starter isn’t a fit for the bullpen and has a questionable history,” Halden wrote. “This is the best version of Elder the Braves have seen in over two years. Whether or not this is going to continue is very much up for debate.
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“It is hard to believe Atlanta couldn’t find a bullpen piece or improve their bench with a trade of Elder. With the league’s desperation for starting pitching, it is at least worth the Atlanta Braves exploring as they attempt to make room for Strider.”
Elder, 25, was a surprise All-Star in 2023, finishing the year with a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts. But he’s got a 5.57 ERA in 18 big-league starts since the start of 2024, having been optioned to Triple-A on several occasions.
With three or fewer earned runs allowed in his last five starts, it’s possible Elder’s value is a little higher than usual right now. But trading away big-league starting pitching depth is also a risk these days, because there could always be another injury lurking around the corner.
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