{"id":169854,"date":"2026-03-28T00:59:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T00:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=169854"},"modified":"2026-03-28T00:59:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T00:59:49","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-trade-update-braves-are-targeting-a-6-4m-10-year-veteran-and-former-cy-young-contender-to-stabilize-an-injury-hit-rotation-behind-chris-sale-adding-much-needed-depth-and-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=169854","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 TRADE UPDATE: Braves are targeting a $6.4M, 10-year veteran and former Cy Young contender to stabilize an injury-hit rotation behind Chris Sale, adding much-needed depth and experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Braves<\/p>\n

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Atlanta Braves Predicted to Sign Frankie Montas: Low-Cost Fix for Chris Sale-Led Rotation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span> enter the 2026 season with a familiar strength\u2014their offense\u2014but a growing concern on the mound. With multiple starters sidelined and only Chris Sale<\/span><\/span> anchoring the rotation, Atlanta\u2019s need for pitching depth has become urgent.<\/p>\n

According to projections highlighted by The Sporting News<\/span><\/span>, the Braves may turn to a practical, short-term solution: signing veteran right-hander Frankie Montas<\/span><\/span> to a one-year deal worth approximately $6.4 million.<\/p>\n

Braves Rotation in Crisis Mode<\/h2>\n

Opening Day has arrived\u2014but Atlanta\u2019s rotation is far from settled.<\/p>\n

Injuries have thinned the starting staff, leaving the Braves dangerously reliant on Sale, who himself has battled durability issues in recent years. That lack of depth puts immediate pressure on the front office to act quickly.<\/p>\n

While fans have pushed for a bigger move\u2014particularly targeting Lucas Giolito<\/span><\/span>\u2014such a signing appears increasingly unlikely.<\/p>\n

Instead, Atlanta may pivot toward a more realistic option: a veteran \u201crental\u201d who can stabilize the back end of the rotation without long-term financial risk.<\/p>\n

Why Frankie Montas Makes Sense<\/h2>\n

\"Braves<\/p>\n

At first glance, Montas might not excite fans.<\/p>\n

But dig deeper, and the fit becomes clear.<\/p>\n

A 10-year MLB veteran and former Cy Young candidate, Montas brings:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Experience across multiple rotations<\/li>\n
  • The ability to eat innings when healthy<\/li>\n
  • Upside that exceeds his current market value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Last season with the New York Mets<\/span><\/span>, Montas posted:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • 3\u20132 record<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • 6.28 ERA<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • 32 strikeouts<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • 1.603 WHIP<\/strong> in 38 innings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Those numbers don\u2019t jump off the page\u2014but they came in a limited sample size and under inconsistent usage.<\/p>\n

      For Atlanta, the goal wouldn\u2019t be perfection\u2014it would be reliability.<\/p>\n

      A Classic Low-Risk, High-Reward Move<\/h2>\n

      What makes this potential signing especially appealing is the cost.<\/p>\n

      A projected one-year, $6.4 million deal<\/strong> is:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Affordable<\/li>\n
      • Flexible<\/li>\n
      • Easy to move on from if things don\u2019t work out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        In today\u2019s market, that\u2019s the definition of a low-risk investment.<\/p>\n

        If Montas struggles, the Braves can cut ties with minimal financial impact.<\/p>\n

        If he rebounds\u2014even modestly\u2014he becomes a valuable asset, either as a contributor or potential trade piece later in the season.<\/p>\n

        Not the Splash Fans Want\u2014But the Move They Need<\/h2>\n

        There\u2019s a clear disconnect between expectation and reality.<\/p>\n

        Fans may prefer a headline-grabbing addition like Giolito. But given the timing, market conditions, and Atlanta\u2019s roster construction, a move like Montas is far more practical.<\/p>\n

        And sometimes, practical wins.<\/p>\n

        Montas wouldn\u2019t be asked to carry the rotation. Instead, his role would be:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Providing innings at the back end<\/li>\n
        • Keeping games competitive<\/li>\n
        • Reducing strain on the bullpen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          In a rotation currently lacking depth, that alone has value.<\/p>\n

          The Bigger Picture: Buy Time Until Reinforcements Arrive<\/h2>\n

          \"Braves<\/p>\n

          Signing Montas would also serve a strategic purpose\u2014it buys time.<\/p>\n

          Time for:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Injured starters to return<\/li>\n
          • Younger pitchers to develop<\/li>\n
          • The front office to evaluate midseason trade options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Without that buffer, the Braves risk overworking their bullpen and falling behind early in the standings.<\/p>\n

            Final Outlook: A Necessary Move for a Contender<\/h2>\n

            The Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span> are still built to compete\u2014but only if they address their biggest weakness.<\/p>\n

            Adding Frankie Montas<\/span><\/span> won\u2019t fix everything.<\/p>\n

            But it will:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Stabilize a shaky rotation<\/li>\n
            • Provide much-needed depth<\/li>\n
            • Give Atlanta a fighting chance early in the season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              In a long 162-game campaign, not every move has to be flashy.<\/p>\n

              Some just have to work.<\/p>\n

              And right now, for the Braves, doing something<\/em>\u2014and doing it quickly\u2014might matter more than making the perfect move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Atlanta Braves Predicted to Sign Frankie Montas: Low-Cost Fix for Chris Sale-Led Rotation The Atlanta Braves enter the 2026 season with a familiar strength\u2014their offense\u2014but a growing… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":169857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-169854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 TRADE UPDATE: Braves are targeting a $6.4M, 10-year veteran and former Cy Young contender to stabilize an injury-hit rotation behind Chris Sale, adding much-needed depth and experience - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=169854\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8 TRADE UPDATE: Braves are targeting a $6.4M, 10-year veteran and former Cy Young contender to stabilize an injury-hit rotation behind Chris Sale, adding much-needed depth and experience - 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