The Atlanta Braves faced challenges with pitching depth throughout the 2024 season.
While their top four starting pitchers were solid, the injury to Spencer Strider left the final rotation spot uncertain.
This winter, the Braves lost both Max Fried and Charlie Morton in free agency without replacing them.
To fill the void left by these two talented starters, the Braves may need to pull off a significant trade. Recently, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer suggested the Braves could acquire San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease in a major trade.
Cease, entering the final year of his contract, is expected to sign a $108 million deal in free agency next winter, according to Spotrac.
Rymer proposed a potential trade where the Braves would send RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (their No. 2 prospect) and C Drake Baldwin (their No. 5 prospect) to the Padres in exchange for Cease.
While Cease, 26, is recovering from major elbow surgery, The Athletic’s David O’Brien reported that he is expected to have a normal spring training, with a return possibly early in 2025.
Despite this, the Braves’ rotation remains uncertain following the departure of Fried and Morton.
Additionally, with Cy Young winner Chris Sale entering his age-36 season, the Braves might need to bolster their pitching staff.
Acquiring Cease would be a steep price for the Braves, but if they could secure an extension with him, it would be a valuable long-term addition.
While Baldwin is a promising prospect, he is currently blocked by Sean Murphy at catcher. Similarly, Smith-Shawver faces significant competition within the Braves’ system, especially with Cease joining the rotation.
If Cease does not sign an extension, however, the Braves could regret the trade in the future.
