The Atlanta Braves lost Max Fried to the New York Yankees during the offseason. While the team boasts strong offensive talent, they now need to focus on building a rotation that complements their lineup.
Though the Braves weren’t originally targeting Corbin Burnes, they may turn to the trade market to help fill the gap left by Fried. Drew VonScio from Newsweek proposed a trade to acquire Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals:
Proposed Trade:
- Braves receive: Left-handed pitcher Steven Matz
- Cardinals receive: Right-handed pitchers Drue Hackenberg and Garrett Baumann
VonScio explained that this trade would provide the Braves with another left-handed arm for their rotation, while the Cardinals would gain two pitchers with future potential. Matz’s contract should be affordable for the Braves, who are vying for the National League East title against teams like the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
Matz signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Cardinals in 2021, but the team is focused on a rebuild and could look to move him to shed his contract. Matz struggled with a back injury that limited him to just 12 games last season, though in 2023 he posted a 3.86 ERA over 25 games, including 17 starts.
At 33 years old, Matz has a career ERA of 4.29 and could provide solid depth for the Braves’ rotation. While he may not be an exact replacement for Fried, Matz could help cover innings while other pitchers in the rotation step up. Additionally, with Spencer Strider expected to return, he could take over as Fried’s direct replacement in the rotation.
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