If Max Fried does not return to Atlanta, the Braves may need to fill a spot in their starting rotation.
They might make a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire a seasoned starter.
Steven Teal of FanSided offered the following trade, which gets Jeffrey Springs to the Braves from the Rays:
- Braves receive: left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs
- Rays receive: shortstop Nach Alvarez Jr., left-handed pitcher Hayden Harris, right-handed pitcher Allan Winans
“Tampa Bay is looking to cut payroll a bit and moving players like Springs, Fairbanks, Yandy Diaz, or Brandon Lowe would help them,” Teal claimed.
Springs agreed to a four-year, $31 million deal with the Rays in 2023. However, he has made only ten starts since signing the contract. He has battled to remain healthy, but at this price, he may be worth the risk.
“Throw in Allan Winans who has struggled a bit at the MLB level but has promise and you could get a deal done for Jeffrey Springs,” Teal commented on Twitter. “Each side is taking on some risk while meeting their needs. Springs’ health is a big question mark, but it’s worth it because his $10.5 million price tag is reasonable in today’s pitching market.
According to MLB Pipeline, the Braves will part ways with two of their top 30 prospects. The headliner for the Rays would be Alvarez, the Braves’ No. 4 prospect who made his debut in 2024.
“Nacho Alvarez Jr., the Braves’ top infield prospect, should appeal to the Rays.” He’s much younger and is touted as a versatile defender, and he’s currently blocked in Atlanta, but he may thrive in Tampa,” Teal wrote. “Alvarez wouldn’t be enough on his own in this trade considering how controllable and affordable Springs is.”
