Now is the time for Alex Anthopoulos to shine.

The Atlanta Braves are facing ongoing injury setbacks. Ozzie Albies sustained an injury during Sunday’s loss, leading to his placement on the IL. Meanwhile, Max Fried also suffered an injury and was placed on the 15-day IL before the game, likely facing a longer recovery period.

These injuries are significant blows to a Braves rotation that was already in need of reinforcement ahead of the trade deadline. Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep are out for the season, while concerns over innings limit the availability of Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach. Bryce Elder and other depth options have not performed as expected, and there’s additional concern given Charlie Morton’s age of 40.

With nine days left until the trade deadline, Atlanta has time to strategize and pursue the necessary trades. In the interim, exploring any of these options could prove beneficial.

3) A Braves-Rays trade for Zach Eflin after Max Fried’s injury

Finding a replacement for Max Fried with a similar caliber pitcher would be ideal for the Braves, although they are unlikely to pursue high-profile pitchers like Garrett Crochet or Tarik Skubal. Therefore, targeting pitchers from lower tiers makes more sense. Zach Eflin emerges as a promising candidate for Atlanta to consider.

Eflin has had a somewhat disappointing season with a 4.14 ERA across 18 starts, but his 3.65 FIP and 3.38 xERA indicate that he has been somewhat unlucky on the mound. Given better fortune, he could significantly contribute down the stretch for any acquiring team. The Tampa Bay Rays’ approach to trades makes them unpredictable, but practically anyone could be available for the right offer.

Eflin, a reliable mid-rotation starter, brings NL East experience from his time with the Phillies. He also offers another year of club control, which would be beneficial if Fried leaves in free agency after the season. However, securing Eflin’s additional year of control might necessitate the Braves giving up a bit more than they initially intend. Nonetheless, a trade package structured around these considerations could be mutually beneficial for both sides.

The proposed trade package would see the Rays acquiring three prospects in exchange for Zach Eflin, headlined by Drake Baldwin, Atlanta’s top catching prospect and ranked No. 10 overall in their system. Baldwin has demonstrated strong offensive performance since moving up to Triple-A, boasting a .946 OPS over 26 games. His arrival could provide the Rays with a much-needed offensive boost from the catcher position either later this season or early next, especially with Sean Murphy entrenched long-term.

Alongside Baldwin, the Rays would receive two pitching prospects. Darius Vines, despite being 26 years old, offers potential as a back-end starter immediately. Meanwhile, De Avila has posted a 3.65 ERA in 16 starts at the AA level this season and could potentially contribute to the Rays’ roster by 2025.

For the Rays, this trade represents an opportunity to acquire three players who could contribute to their MLB team in the near future, providing immediate value while trading Eflin at a point where they can secure a substantial return.

2) A Braves-White Sox trade for Erick Fedde after Max Fried’s injury

When it comes to cost-effective starting pitchers, Erick Fedde remains under team control through the 2025 season with a remarkably affordable salary of $7.5 million. Acquiring him through a trade would allow the Braves to bolster their roster with additional pieces due to his cost-effectiveness.

Despite limited success in his first six seasons with the Nationals, Fedde excelled in the KBO during 2023 and has since returned as a markedly improved pitcher, boasting a 2.99 ERA over 19 starts and 111.1 innings pitched in the first half of the current season. Many argue he deserved an All-Star nod based on his impressive performance.

Given his extended control period, acquiring Fedde would command a substantial investment from any interested team. However, the Braves should strongly consider the expenditure, given the substantial value he offers relative to his cost.

1) A Braves-Tigers trade for Jack Flaherty after Max Fried’s injury

Tarik Skubal would be the dream Detroit Tigers player for the Braves to acquire, but let’s be real. That isn’t happening. Detroit’s No. 2 starter, Jack Flaherty, can be had, though, and he’d make this Braves team much better.

Flaherty has had an outstanding season, posting a 3.13 ERA in 17 starts and 100.2 innings of work. He has fanned 127 batters while issuing just 17 walks. Injuries are a bit of a concern, and the fact that he’d be a rental makes him less appealing, but when he’s on, he’s unhittable. He can be the kind of game-changer that helps the Braves win the World Series.

It might seem unrealistic for Atlanta to trade a pitcher of JR Ritchie’s potential for a rental player. However, given Jack Flaherty’s exceptional ability and the high demand for starting pitchers across the league, the Braves would likely need to offer a significant package to acquire someone of Flaherty’s caliber. Ritchie, despite his limited professional experience due to Tommy John surgery recovery, was a first-round draft pick in 2022 for a reason—he’s immensely talented and still only 21 years old. His recent performance, including a five-inning, hitless outing with seven strikeouts, underscores his potential.

While the Tigers would have to wait for Ritchie to develop further before he could impact their MLB roster, his potential makes him a valuable asset worth waiting for. Considering the Braves’ strong track record in developing pitching prospects, trading Ritchie could be a strategic move, especially given their depth in the upper echelons of their farm system.

Ultimately, whether the Braves would seriously consider such a trade remains uncertain. However, for a pitcher like Flaherty, similar to what it would take, the potential of Ritchie could make him an appealing centerpiece in a trade discussion.