Braves trade idea lands two-time All-Star to pair with Spencer Strider originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Heading into the offseason, the Atlanta Braves have already been somewhat active, but it’s evident that the team needs to go out and make a deal for a front-line starter.
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If there’s been one issue the Braves have faced in the past year or so, it’s been on the mound. From injuries to below-average outings, it’s something the Braves will ultimately have to figure out.
When putting together packages for some of the teams around Major League Baseball that could be landing spots for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, Jim Bowden of The Athletic proposed one that he believes could get the deal done.
His trade would move on from JR Ritchie and Alex Lodise, two prospects in the Braves system.
“If the Braves offered right-hander JR Ritchie and shortstop Alex Lodise, I believe a deal could get done.
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“Ritchie, 22, was the Braves’ 2022 first-round selection out of high school. He had Tommy John surgery midway through the 2023 season, returning in July 2024. He was outstanding in 2025 in his first fully healthy professional season, posting a 2.64 ERA over 26 starts spread between three minor-league levels, including 11 starts in Triple A. His mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider are both plus pitches. He still needs work on command and control, but he should develop into a solid mid-rotation starter in time,” he wrote.
It wouldn’t make too much sense for the Brewers to move on from Peralta, just considering what he’s done throughout his career. Still, it also might not be the craziest thing, considering we’ve seen them want to trade players who are a year away from free agency to save money.
If that happens, the Braves need to have a competitive offer ready to go if they plan to compete in 2026 and beyond.
