“Morton, who has averaged 31 starts in three seasons with the Braves and produced an adjusted ERA better than league average, will be a high bar to clear. Anthopoulos, in discussing the acquisition of Sale from the Red Sox, acknowledged to reporters, “There’s health history, and I understand that’s going to be a topic.” So why part with Grissom, a promising hitter about to turn 23, for a pitcher who last cleared 160 innings in 2017? Why invite risk when safer options were available earlier this offseason, and remain available in trade and in free agency?

The answers, according to sources briefed on the Braves’ thinking, start with the high price for starting pitching – and not just Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who commanded a record $325 million deal for a pitcher before ever performing in the majors.

At 34, Sonny Gray went for three years, $75 million, plus a draft pick. Frankie Montas and Jack Flaherty, each coming off two straight uninspiring seasons, went for $16 million and $14 million, respectively. Heaven knows what Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Shota Imanaga will command as free agents, and what Dylan Cease and Corbin Burnes might bring back in trades.