Braves writer urges GM Alex Anthopoulos to trade for 'impact' starter amid Spencer Strider's return

braves/news/braves-writer-urges-gm-alex-anthopoulos-trade-impact-starter-amid-spencer-striders-return/e257d20495b0cdbdf72b03e6?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=appeared_on">Braves writer urges GM Alex Anthopoulos to trade for ‘impact’ starter amid Spencer Strider’s return originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves won their 18th series of the season on Saturday as Spencer Strider earned the win for the club. The Braves’ rotation has done an outstanding job overcoming the injuries it suffered before the season began.

Strider has settled back in since returning from injury, and although it hasn’t been perfect, he has consistently found ways to win. He missed the first month of the season after suffering an oblique injury just before Opening Day.

“In the latest blow to the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation, right-hander Spencer Strider will begin the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with an oblique strain, manager Walt Weiss told reporters Monday. Strider had been scheduled to start in Monday’s spring training finale against Pittsburgh before being scratched,” ESPN wrote.

Strider owns a 3-1 record through his first month back. Even with the Braves holding the best record in baseball, Battery Power’s Scott Coleman believes Atlanta still needs to acquire a frontline starter.

“My take on Strider after the last few weeks is he’s a totally fine mid rotation guy but Alex has to add an impact starter at the deadline. No excuses. I don’t really care what the price is. You have the money and prospect capital,” Coleman wrote.

The good news for Coleman is that Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already been exploring the trade market. Anthopoulos has also confirmed that Atlanta plans to be aggressive at the trade deadline.

“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I’m not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we’re playing the way we are right now, we’re going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.

There is no doubt that Chris Sale is the ace of the staff, but beyond him there is a noticeable drop in production. Adding another top-of-the-rotation arm would give the Braves an even stronger chance to make a deep postseason run and provide fans with more confidence heading into October.

The Braves have the financial flexibility and prospect capital to pursue nearly any pitcher they want, provided the asking price isn’t excessive. It will be interesting to see how Anthopoulos approaches the deadline, but adding another starting pitcher should be Atlanta’s top priority.