The biggest pitching addition that the AtlantaBraves made ahead of this year's deadlinewas bringing in right-handed starter Tyler Mahle. With Hurston Waldrep, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Spencer Strider all on the shelf and appearing increasingly unlikely to return, Atlanta badly needed an innings eater, and thus far there is no denying how impressive Mahle has been. The starter has pitched 12.0 innings, giving up one lone run and piling up 16 strikeouts.
It has been the absolute best version of Mahle and has given Atlanta hope of finding a surprise starting option when the postseason rolls around. Even if Mahle's hot streak continues, there isn't any taking away the fact that Atlanta shopped on the bargain aisle, unable to close deals attempted for Tarik Skubal or the currently injured Jacob deGrom. Even with Atlanta's front office appearing to make sure it was leaked that they were in the mix for top starters, this doesn't wipe away the mistake.
Atlanta is arguably the team best equipped to take down the Los Angeles Dodgers and prevent what appears to be an increasingly likely threepeat. Failing to add a viable arm behind Chris Sale leaves no excuse for a front office that whiffed, no matter how hot of a start Mahle might have gotten off to in a Braves uniform.
This has been a familiar theme dating back to the 2021 trade deadline when the front office hit all of the right buttons and sparked a World Series run. It has seemed the team's decision-makers are stuck in this mindset for the last five years opting to bargain hunt rather than spend what it takes to add a top talent.
Tyler Mahle's Impressive Braves Debut Doesnt' Wipe Away Frustrating Deadline Decisions
It is important to note here that this is in no way a shot at Mahle or pulling against the veteran going on an epic run that provides the Braves with the needed missing piece. Rather, it is pointing out the reality that the franchise gambled on a struggling arm rather than spending whatever was needed to give the team its best chance at bringing home another World Series.
We are five years removed from the last title, and it has become increasingly clear that the current core is on borrowed time. While there are young stars with years of their expected prime remaining, the team is on the older side when looking at the most important pieces; there simply is no way around the fact that it was time to push the chips to the center of the table.
No matter how Mahle performs over the final month of the regular season, the Braves' front office made a mistake, one that cannot be wiped away from what has been an impressive start for the biggest pitching deadline addition.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations