Braves 3-Player Trade Idea to Land $44 Million Max Fried Replacement
The Atlanta Braves are facing a significant challenge this offseason after losing Max Fried to the New York Yankees. With their offense in great shape, they now need to focus on building a rotation that can complement their high-powered lineup. In an effort to replace Fried, the Braves may turn to the trade market to find a reliable option.
While they were previously not in the market for Corbin Burnes, the Braves have the potential to add another solid piece to their rotation. Drew VonScio, writing for Newsweek, proposed a 3-player trade idea that would land Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Braves Receive: Left-Handed Pitcher Steven Matz
In this proposed trade, the Braves would receive Steven Matz, a left-handed pitcher who signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Cardinals in 2021. Although Matz is not a direct replacement for Fried, he could provide some much-needed stability at the backend of the Braves’ rotation.
Despite dealing with a back injury that limited him to just 12 games in 2023, Matz was able to put together a solid season with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games, including 17 starts. His career ERA sits at 4.29, making him a viable option to fill in while other members of the Braves’ pitching staff, such as Spencer Strider, continue to develop and step up. Though Matz isn’t as dominant as Fried, he could offer much-needed innings to help the Braves remain competitive in the National League East.
Cardinals Receive: Drue Hackenberg and Garrett Baumann
In exchange, the St. Louis Cardinals would receive two right-handed pitchers: Drue Hackenberg and Garrett Baumann. Both players represent future assets for the Cardinals as they continue their rebuild process and focus on getting younger. Hackenberg and Baumann are not top-tier prospects, but they could be valuable pieces for the Cardinals as they look to bolster their farm system.
The Cardinals are currently in a rebuilding phase, and part of their strategy may involve shedding the contracts of veterans like Matz. By offloading the remaining years of Matz’s contract, the Cardinals could create financial flexibility while adding some developmental pitchers to their ranks.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for the Braves
For the Braves, adding Matz would be a strategic move to replace the $44 million worth of production that was lost with Fried’s departure. Though Matz has dealt with injuries in recent seasons, his solid 2023 campaign proves he still has value and could contribute to the Braves’ pitching rotation. Matz would give the Braves another left-handed arm, something they will need to compete with divisional rivals like the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
In addition to this trade, the Braves are expecting Spencer Strider to take a larger role in their rotation. Strider could serve as the direct replacement for Fried, while Matz fills in to help solidify the depth of the pitching staff. The combination of Matz’s experience and Strider’s potential would help the Braves remain strong on the mound and continue their pursuit of the National League East title.
While Max Fried’s departure was a major blow to the Atlanta Braves, trading for Steven Matz could be a solid move to help fill the gap in their pitching rotation. Matz brings solid experience and depth to the Braves’ staff, and his $44 million contract could be an affordable option for a team with World Series aspirations. The trade proposal of sending Drue Hackenberg and Garrett Baumann to the St. Louis Cardinals offers both teams the chance to improve, with the Braves gaining a potential innings-eater and the Cardinals continuing their rebuild.
This trade idea could help the Braves stay competitive and continue to challenge for the title in the National League East while they wait for their other pitchers to step up. The addition of Matz would provide much-needed balance to their rotation and further solidify their position as contenders for the upcoming season.
