The Atlanta Braves have an interesting decision to make as Spencer Strider continues to progress toward a return to the rotation. It seemed a no-brainer only weeks ago that the Braves would send down AJ Smith-Shawver or Bryce Elder. However, both pitchers have been incredibly impressive over the last two weeks of the season. Grant Holmes would be the next option as a potential bullpen upgrade. This thought has been altered as well, with Holmes throwing arguably the best game of his starting career last time out.
Perhaps the obvious answer is for the Braves to use this recent hot streak to find a trade to answer another concern. None of these trio of options is deserving of a demotion to the bullpen or to Gwinnett. The most sensible way forward is to use Bryce Elder's recent hot streak as a springboard to answer another positional concern.
Bryce Elder is Increasingly Likely to be Traded After Recent Hot Streak
Trading Bryce Elder makes sense when you consider that the starter isn't a fit for the bullpen and has a questionable history. 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. Because of this, Elder is the most likely piece to be moved out of the rotation.
You cannot afford to trade the high upside of AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes carries value in his ability to pivot back to the bullpen if needed. This leaves Bryce Elder falling out of the rotation for the return of Spencer Strider.
Elder was always the most likely player to fall out of Atlanta's plans when Strider was able to return. This should only change in the fact that the team should now look to trade the starter instead of simply demoting Elder back to Gwinnett. 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.