The Atlanta Braves may be eyeing a significant trade this offseason to address their pressing need for starting pitching ahead of the 2025 season. With ace Spencer Strider recovering from major elbow surgery and both Charlie Morton and Max Fried leaving in free agency, the Braves are in urgent need of reinforcements.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer, the Braves could make a bold move by trading for Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López, who has three years remaining on his $73.5 million contract. Rymer proposed the following trade:
- Braves receive: RHP Pablo López, C Christian Vázquez
- Twins receive: C Drake Baldwin (No. 5 prospect), RHP Hurston Waldrep (No. 3 prospect), RHP JR Ritchie (No. 7 prospect)
While López has been a consistent starter over the past few seasons, posting a 4.08 ERA in 2024 with an impressive 4.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, this trade would come at a steep cost. The Braves would part with two of their top pitching prospects and their best catching prospect.
Rymer acknowledges Atlanta’s urgency, writing, “The Braves have not been connected to López, but it’s past time they added a starter. With Morton in Baltimore and Max Fried in New York, Atlanta’s rotation has sustained two significant departures. The only thing to look forward to is Spencer Strider’s return from his second major elbow surgery in five years.”
However, trading such high-value prospects for López—considered a solid but not elite starter—might be an overpay. Losing key future assets could hinder Atlanta’s long-term pitching depth, making this a high-risk move.
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