Over the past several weeks, I’ve spotlighted numerous players from various teams who might become available at the trade deadline and could interest the Braves. As we approach the deadline, which teams will become sellers will soon become much clearer. However, there are still a few more teams worth considering.
In this piece, we’ll revisit Toronto. Last week, I discussed a couple of shortstops they might offer the Braves, presenting upgrades over Orlando Arcia. This article will focus on a few of their starting pitchers. Toronto, currently 16 games back in the AL East and in last place, needs to start considering trading everyone, including their abundance of starting pitchers.
If you missed any of the earlier parts of this series, follow the links below.
– Braves trade targets from the Athletics
– Braves trade targets from the Angels
– Braves trade targets from the Rockies
– Braves trade targets from the White Sox
– Braves trade targets from the Mets
– Braves trade targets from the Marlins
– Braves trade targets from the Red Sox
– Braves trade targets from the Tigers
– Braves trade targets from the Blue Jays: Shortstops
Kevin Gausman
In 2018, Alex Anthopoulos made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire Kevin Gausman for the Atlanta Braves. Gausman had a strong finish to that season with a 2.87 ERA in his last 10 starts, but his 2019 season was underwhelming, leading to his eventual designation for assignment.
Afterward, Gausman signed with the San Francisco Giants, where his career took off. In 2021, he was selected to the NL All-Star team and finished sixth in the Cy Young voting, which earned him a lucrative contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He exceeded expectations in his first two seasons with Toronto, even finishing third in the AL Cy Young race last year.
However, Gausman has struggled in 2024, posting a 4.64 ERA over 18 starts. While his 3.86 FIP suggests potential for improvement, his performance may not match his high name value going forward. With declining peripheral stats and a $23 million salary for 2025 and 2026, his contract might be considered too risky for Anthopoulos.
Jose Berrios
The concept of the Braves targeting a starting pitcher at the trade deadline becomes particularly interesting when considering players with multi-year contracts. Although the Braves currently have a stable rotation, this situation is expected to change after this season, with Max Fried entering free agency and Charlie Morton likely retiring.
Similar to Kevin Gausman, José Berríos has a multi-year deal, with $18.7 million owed for 2025 and 2026. He also has a player opt-out clause after the 2026 season, with the potential to extend his contract into 2027 and 2028 at nearly $25 million per season.
The $18.7 million annual salary for Berríos is reasonable, comparable to what Charlie Morton has earned recently with the Braves, and their run prevention metrics are similar. However, there is concern about the potential need to pay Berríos $25 million annually while he is 35 years old, four years from now.
Yusei Kikuchi
If the Braves are looking for short-term insurance and prefer to address future concerns later, Yusei Kikuchi could be a player to consider. He’s in the last year of his contract, with a 4.12 ERA, 3.64 FIP, and 9.4 K/9 across 18 starts. Kikuchi could become a sought-after rental option if the Blue Jays decide to trade him.
Chris Bassitt
Among the starting pitchers the Blue Jays might make available, Chris Bassitt stands out as the most intriguing option. A reliable workhorse, Bassitt has made at least 25 starts in every season since 2019, except for the shortened 2020 season. He has achieved three top-ten finishes in the AL Cy Young race, including a standout performance last season with a 16-8 record and a 3.60 ERA over 200 innings.
Although Bassitt is 35 years old, his performance remains strong this season with a 3.43 ERA and over 100 innings pitched. Additionally, his contract is manageable, as he is signed for just one more year at a reasonable $22 million.
