Official update on Atlanta Braves trade for Pirates ace Mitch Keller.
It’s no secret that the Atlanta Braves could use some depth in their starting rotation.
Most experts believe there could be an update in the free agent market, especially if Charlie Morton retires and Alex Anthopoulos previously rejected a deal.
Late last week, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted a potential Braves-Pirates trade that would send the Pittsburgh Aces to Atlanta in exchange for two prospects.
Pittsburgh prospect A.J. Smith Schober, Alan Winans, Braden Schomake.
Here’s Reuters’ explanation:
Mitch Keller went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 210 strikeouts in 194.1 innings, earning his first All-Star selection in a breakout season.
The 27-year-old can watch until 2025 and be eligible for Atlanta State.
One of the best players in baseball,” wrote Reuters.
The Pirates have been sellers for a long time, and Bucs fans are tired of them trading away their most talented players for prospects.
At first glance, Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington seems to think this team can compete in the next year or two.
Trading Keller or David Bednar doesn’t fit that vision and reveals a pirate front office that can’t afford another bad PR success.
The Braves’ trade package is pretty good.
Especially considering Smith-Shaver is their prized star.
It’s unclear whether Anthopoulos wants to part ways with his chain, which appears to have a bright future ahead of it, so there are some issues here.