The Atlanta Braves faced challenges with pitching depth during the 2024 season, largely due to a season-ending injury to their ace, Spencer Strider. Additionally, the team lost Max Fried and Charlie Morton to free agency this winter, making it nearly essential for Atlanta to add one or two starting pitchers before the 2025 season. Cody Williams of FanSided recently suggested that the Braves should consider a major trade to acquire either Dylan Cease or Michael King from the San Diego Padres.
Williams pointed out that while the trade cost may be high, as evidenced by the Cubs’ asking price for Matt Shaw, it could still be a deal worth pursuing for the Braves. Adding either Cease or King to a rotation that could include Chris Sale, Pablo López, Brody Schwellenbach, and hopefully Strider at some point would give Atlanta a formidable pitching staff. This could not only help them win the competitive division but also position them to challenge the Dodgers for the NL pennant.
Acquiring one of these pitchers would significantly strengthen Atlanta’s rotation, and the Braves could be willing to trade one or two of their top pitching prospects in exchange. While Cease is more likely to be traded at this point, the Padres are expected to listen to offers for either pitcher.
