Atlanta Braves Five Trades They Should Make Before Spring Training
By Kit Anderson
- Pay Up and Bring Chris Archer to Atlanta
This trade possibility has been written about before both on this site and many others. Chris Archer is a fantastic pitcher that just happens to be stuck in the toughest division in baseball. The Rays are stuck in neutral at the moment neither rebuilding or gearing up to contend.
Their willingness to trade Evan Longoria earlier in the off-season shows that they are open to trading their stars. Archer is “special” or an “ace” or whatever you desire to label a pitcher who is simply really good.
Bringing Archer to Atlanta would solidify the top of the rotation especially if the Braves could swing such a deal without giving up Julio Teheran. Archer is coming off of another good season that saw him eclipse both 200 innings and 200 strike outs. Archer is the pitcher the Braves have been looking for if they are willing to pay up.
Possible Return: Here is where we run into a problem much like in a possible Christian Yelich deal the Rays are likely to demand Ronald Acuna. While top pitchers are valuable no one outside of Kershaw should demand the Braves trade Acuna. If the Braves can put together a package of prospects that doesn’t include Acuna the Ray would accept, bring Chris Archer to Atlanta!