The Atlanta Braves are set to lose two starting pitchers to free agency. Longtime Brave, Max Fried, has already signed a long-term contract with the New York Yankees. Veteran Charlie Morton seems to be on his way out as well.
This leaves two gaping holes in a Braves rotation that already struggled with depth in 2024. Atlanta could look to both the trade block and free agency to fill these holes.
FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently pitched a trade idea that would give the Braves a high-upside addition to the starting rotation. Mountz proposed the Braves pursue a blockbuster deal for young Pirates pitcher Jared Jones.
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“According to Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Gazette, rising star Jared Jones was on the trade block and may still be. This past season in his debut year, Jones posted a 4.14 ERA with 132 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings. But while his ERA isn’t that flashy, his talent is undeniable,” Mountz wrote. “If traded for, Jones would make a great back-end of the rotation starter in the Braves star-studded rotation at the beginning of the 2025 season. However, before the year is done, he could prove himself capable of being a front-end starter flashing ace material reminiscent of the Reynaldo Lopez success story we witnessed last season.”
While Jones would be a great addition for the Braves, I don’t see him being moved. Pittsburgh has already traded starting pitcher Luis Ortiz, so it’s hard to imagine the Bucs already moving another starter.
More than likely, the Pirates will look to build the future of their starting rotation around Jones and ace Paul Skenes.
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