The Atlanta Braves, after losing Max Fried to the New York Yankees this offseason, are looking to strengthen their pitching rotation to complement their strong offensive lineup. While they weren’t initially targeting Corbin Burnes, they may turn to the trade market to find a suitable replacement for Fried. One possible trade suggestion, proposed by Drew VonScio for Newsweek, involves the Braves acquiring left-handed pitcher Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. In exchange, the Cardinals would receive two right-handed pitching prospects, Drue Hackenberg and Garrett Baumann, both of whom could potentially aid in the team’s future rebuilding efforts.
This trade would bolster the Braves’ rotation by adding Matz, a left-handed pitcher, providing depth to a staff that lost Fried. The Cardinals, looking to rebuild and get younger, might consider parting ways with Matz, especially given his current contract. Signed in 2021 to a four-year, $44 million deal, Matz’s price tag might be manageable for the Braves, who are eager to compete against strong NL East rivals like the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. Although Matz struggled with a back injury last season, limiting him to just 12 games, he posted a respectable 3.86 ERA over 25 appearances in 2023, including 17 starts. This performance indicates he still has value and could serve as a solid addition to the Braves’ rotation.
At 33 years old, Matz brings a career ERA of 4.29, which suggests that while he may not fully replicate Fried’s production, he could provide valuable innings in the back end of the Braves’ rotation. With other pitchers expected to step up, including Spencer Strider returning from injury, Matz could help fill the gap left by Fried. While Matz may not match Fried’s talent, his experience and steady performance could make him a reliable asset for the Braves as they look to maintain their competitiveness in the NL East. Ultimately, this trade represents a way for the Braves to replace some of Fried’s lost production while continuing their championship aspirations.
