The Atlanta Braves will be prime participants in Major League Baseball’s most highly-anticipated 2025 division race.
With the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets as challengers in the National League East, the Braves have their work cut out for them. And the rest of the NL looks equally daunting, with the Los Angeles Dodgers standing above the heap.
For the Braves to match up with all these great teams, they’ll need a strong starting rotation. They’ve got four great pieces in Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach, but the fifth spot could be up in the air all season.
However, a trade could enter the equation if the San Diego Padres fall out of the race. The Braves checked in on Padres star Michael King earlier this offseason, and he could be a prime target for them again between Opening Day and the trade deadline.
On Wednesday, FanSided’s Jacob Mountz predicted that the Braves would acquire King, giving them the final piece of a rotation that could easily become the most dominant unit in all of MLB.
“Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known to keep a tight grip on the purse strings. But after trading Ian Anderson as well as losing both Charlie Morton and Max Fried in free agency, it seems the Braves’ starting rotation is in need of an upgrade,” Mountz wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
“King is coming off his first year as a full-time starter throwing to a 2.95 ERA over 173.2 innings of work. This figure is his highest ERA since 2021. His low price and abundant success make him a very desirable trade target.”
Though King could prove to be just a rental, it would make a lot of sense for the Braves to try and extend him. Spotrac projects his market value at four years and $71 million, and he’s got much less mileage than a typical free agent because he spent most of his career in the bullpen.
Acquiring King might not make the Braves World Series favorites, but it would certainly elevate them in the conversation.
More MLB: Phillies urged to acquire Cardinals 8-time All-Star, make surprise Bryce Harper move
