Braves among top landing spots for Rays veteran hurler in deadline swap | Sporting News

Braves among top landing spots for Rays veteran hurler in deadline swap | Sporting News

July 5, 2024

The 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline is just a few weeks away and it’s clear that the Atlanta Braves could use a boost in the starting rotation.

Atlanta has been linked to a handful of players already but it’s too early to know exactly what it will do. Most of the moves around the trade deadline won’t actually happen until we get closer to the July 30th deadline but chatter already is starting to pick up. 

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand took a look at the top players who could be moved and mentioned possible landing spots. When discussing Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zach Eflin, Feinsand mentioned Atlanta as a possible option.

“Tampa Bay already traded Aaron Civale this week, but with Shane Baz returning from Tommy John surgery and Jeffrey Springs not far behind him, the Rays could listen to offers for Eflin, whose $11 million salary jumps to $18 million in 2025,” Feinsand said. “Eflin has a 3.92 ERA in 15 starts this season, though he posted a 3.49 ERA over 28 1/3 innings in five June starts. This isn’t to say the Rays are headed for a sell-off, but Tampa Bay’s front office is one of the more creative in the game, so seeing them buy and sell wouldn’t surprise anybody.”

It’s clear that the Braves will be busy this summer and chatter has picked up around the team. The National League is having a down year overall and therefore the Braves have a real chance at making some noise despite not being at full strength due to injuries.

Landing someone like Eflin this summer at the trade deadline could be a step in the right direction for the Braves.

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