The Atlanta Braves faced challenges with pitching depth throughout the 2024 season. While their top four starting pitchers were strong, the injury to Spencer Strider left the final spot uncertain. This winter, the Braves lost Max Fried and Charlie Morton in free agency without adding replacements. To fill the void, they’ll likely need to make a significant trade.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently suggested that the Braves could acquire San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease in a major trade. Cease, entering the final year of his contract, is expected to sign a $108 million deal next winter, according to Spotrac. Rymer outlined a proposed trade where the Braves would receive Cease in exchange for right-handed pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (the No. 2 prospect) and catcher Drake Baldwin (the No. 5 prospect).
Though Cease is coming off major elbow surgery less than a year ago, David O’Brien of The Athletic reported that the strikeout-prone right-hander is expected to have a normal spring training. If this is the case, Cease could return early in the 2025 season.
With Max Fried and Charlie Morton gone, and Strider’s durability still uncertain, the Braves have glaring gaps in their rotation. Additionally, there are concerns about the age of Cy Young winner Chris Sale, who will turn 36 in late March.
This trade proposal would be a high cost for the Braves, but if they manage to extend Cease’s contract, it would be a worthwhile move. Though Baldwin is a promising talent, he is behind Sean Murphy in the depth chart, and Smith-Shawver would have stiff competition for a spot in the rotation, especially with Cease joining the team. However, if Cease doesn’t agree to an extension, the Braves might regret this trade in the future.
