MLB Trade Rumors: Braves in the hunt for controllable starters

The Braves are searching for a marquee starting pitcher that is under team control past this season, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.

According to Passan, the Braves made a run at Jose Quintana before he was ultimately dealt to the Cubs. Atlanta was reportedly prepared to part ways with coveted shortstop prospect Ozzie Albies, who is currently rocketing up the minor league ranks at just 20 years old.

Albies is a top tier prospect who the Braves can use for starting pitching since Dansby Swanson figures to be the team’s shortstop of the future, despite some recent struggles.

Quintana was high on their wish list before the trade, as was Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer, but it is unknown whether the Rays will want to deal their ace given their current spot in the playoff race. The Braves have also been linked to Sonny Gray, who is likely to be dealt before the deadline.

A rental starting pitcher wouldn’t make sense for the Braves, who are 9.5 games behind the Nationals in the NL East. However, their youth movement is progressing quickly and the team believes they will be in contention in the near future, hence their hunt for an established starter.

A report earlier in the month stated that the Braves were fielding calls for starter Julio Teheran, so we’ll see if this new approach to building their rotation means Teheran is sticking around. His last two starts have been superb, but those both came on the road as his struggles as Sun Trust Park have not ceased.