Atlanta Braves tabbed as favorites to trade for a recent Cy Young finalist

Last season, fans witnessed the emergence of Spencer Strider as a true ace for the Atlanta Braves, contributing to the team’s success with over 100 wins for the second consecutive year. However, despite Strider’s playoff performances, the Braves were eliminated in the NLDS for the second year in a row, facing challenges due to subpar starts from Bryce Elder (20.25 ERA) and Max Fried (6.75 ERA).

In the 2023 playoffs, Strider maintained a strong performance with two starts and an impressive 2.84 ERA. Nonetheless, struggles from Bryce Elder and Max Fried added to the team’s difficulties. As the Braves look to fortify their pitching staff, there are indications that they are on the verge of making a significant trade.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Braves are currently considered front-runners to acquire Dylan Cease, the 2022 Cy Young runner-up from the Chicago White Sox. Despite a less stellar season in 2023, marked by a league-leading 33 starts and a 4.58 ERA, Cease’s 3.72 FIP suggests that he may have been affected by a weak defense in Chicago. In the outstanding 2022 season, Cease led MLB with just 78 walks and concluded with a WHIP of 1.109.

To put it differently, considering the White Sox’s apparent intention to trade the 28-year-old, it seems like they might be undervaluing Cease, who is contractually tied to the team until the 2026 season.

However, the Braves are not the sole team discussed in talks about trading Cease. Nightengale also identified the Baltimore Orioles as frontrunners, and there are likely other teams involved in the discussions as well.