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<\/p>\nAtlanta Braves fans were shellshocked to hear about\u00a0Chris Sale landing on the 15-day IL\u00a0with a fractured ribcage on Saturday.<\/p>\n
It hasn’t been confirmed what caused it but it most likely occurred when Sale laid out for a groundball during the ninth inning of his start against the Mets.<\/p>\n
That was not the news anyone expected just when the team started to get things on track. This leaves a massive hole at the top of Atlanta’s rotation. The Braves were already going to be busy\u00a0trying to improve at the trade deadline.\u00a0However, the rotation wasn’t really a huge priority… until now.<\/p>\n
There’s no timetable for Sale’s return, but a broken rib cage is going to take some time. The team will want to be careful with him and only return him when he’s fully healthy. Alex Anthopoulos will need to at least consider some trade candidates to replace him in the event of a lengthy absence.<\/p>\n
3 trade targets Braves need to consider in the wake of Chris Sale’s injury<\/h2>\nCharlie Morton<\/h3>\n
Okay, okay…we know what you are thinking and your skepticism is valid. Morton has not had the best season,\u00a0but he’s pitched better lately.\u00a0While he isn’t as effective as he once was, he is an obvious trade candidate. The Braves are familiar with him, he fits well in the clubhouse, and he is a veteran arm.<\/p>\n
He has a 5.64 ERA over 67 innings with 32 walks and 74 strikeouts. However, over his last seven games, Morton is 4-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 10 BB, and 44 K. This success could fade and it would be a risky trade. However, it would likely be an easily affordable trade option.<\/p>\n