Braves expected to utilize recently acquired starter in different trade

The Atlanta Braves will reportedly use a recently acquired left-hander in another trade.

Seems like the Atlanta Braves will continue to make moves in the trade market this offseason.

After being traded to the Braves from the Mariners as part of the Jared Kelenic deal, the Braves are not planning to keep left-hander Marco Gonzales may be on the move as a potential trade piece according to Ken Rosenthal reported this morning. The fact that he is reported to be part of another deal may mean that the Braves have their eyes on someone else.

If Gonzales were to stay with the Braves, he would have been owed $12 million this year, so Atlanta would get some salary relief by moving him, possibly to pursue other trade targets. Gonzales also underwent season-ending surgery back in August, and considering the state of the Braves pitching roster, it’s easy to see why they might want to move him.

While Gonzales’ 2023 season stats alone aren’t too impressive, Gonzales made 102 starts with a 3.92 ERA before 2023, and he’s able to take a big workload in games as a lower-end starter. So, he does have trade potential. If he were to be moved, it would likely be along with another player or asset as the Braves look to improve their roster in other ways.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos stated that Kelenic ended his search for a left-fielder, with he and Vaughn Grissom being considered for the corner outfield position. Grissom is expected to get reps in left field playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League. It will be interesting to see where the Braves go from here trade-wise.

Keep your eyes peeled as Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta front office continue to negotiate deals at the 2023 Winter Meetings in Nashville. He’s wasted no time getting to work to improve the team and that clearly isn’t ending anytime soon.