The Atlanta Braves have been battling starting rotation issues early in the season, rolling out some less-than-ideal options as injuries pile up. Just as they got Spencer Strider back from elbow surgery, the star right-hander hit the injured list again—this time with a hamstring strain sustained during a throwing session.
Although the injury may not seem serious at first, hamstring issues are notoriously slow to heal and could sideline Strider for at least a couple of starts—if not longer.
Given the uncertainty around Strider’s timeline, Atlanta could look to the trade market for a high-impact starter. One name that stands out is St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray.
Despite flying under the radar, Gray has quietly been one of the league’s most reliable pitchers over the past few seasons. His steady performance could be exactly what the Braves need to stabilize their rotation.
Gray’s $75 million contract might complicate trade discussions, but it could also benefit Atlanta. The Cardinals may be open to a deal with reduced prospect demands or could agree to cover part of the contract in exchange for higher-quality prospects.
Either way, a deal for Gray could be a game-changer for the Braves as they try to keep pace in the National League race.
Leave a Reply