Trade rumors are heating up around the Atlanta Braves following starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver’s UCL tear in his right elbow during last Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
With Smith-Shawver now on the injured list and likely out for the remainder of the season, the Braves are in need of help in their starting rotation. The team is trying to regain momentum after a rough start in March and April. Currently sitting at 27-31, they trail the National League’s third Wild Card spot by 5.5 games.
The Braves and Orioles Could Make Suitable Trade Partners
There are still plenty of games left in the season, so it’s too early to say the Baltimore Orioles are out of playoff contention. However, sitting at 22-36, they have a significant gap to close.
If the Orioles decide to become sellers at the trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves could be among the teams interested in bolstering their starting rotation. Zachary Howell of ClutchPoints suggests that veteran pitcher Zach Eflin could be a viable target for Atlanta.
“One name that makes sense for [Brian] Snitker and the Braves to pursue is Eflin from the Orioles,” Howell wrote. “Although Eflin has missed time this year with an injury, his track record is solid. Meanwhile, the Orioles are struggling to stay competitive in the AL East despite winning 91 games last season.”
Eflin was sidelined with a right lat strain and placed on the 15-day injured list on April 9, returning to action on May 11. The 31-year-old has made only seven starts in 2025, posting a 4.46 ERA over 40.1 innings. That’s a step back from his 2.60 ERA in 55.1 innings last year. While his strikeouts are down to 5.4 per nine innings, Eflin remains elite in limiting walks, averaging just 1.8 per nine over his 10-year career.
Pairing Eflin With Sale and Strider
Zach Eflin had the best stretch of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2023, he placed sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting and achieved a personal-best 7.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio. However, the Atlanta Braves wouldn’t expect or require him to replicate that level of performance.
“Eflin isn’t the same pitcher he once was, but manager Brian Snitker doesn’t need him to be,” Howell noted. “With Chris Sale and Spencer Strider already leading the rotation, Atlanta is simply looking for someone to fill out the back end. If they’re willing to pay the price, Eflin could be a solid addition.”
Eflin is in the final year of a $40 million deal he signed with Tampa Bay before the 2023 season and is set to hit free agency afterward. Meanwhile, the Orioles might be inclined to retool their rotation with younger talent, given their struggles on the mound. Veteran starters Charlie Morton (41) and Tomoyuki Sugano (35, on a one-year deal) highlight the need for long-term solutions.
Atlanta, which has an abundance of right-handed pitching prospects, could offer someone like JR Ritchie, their No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Ritchie has been impressive at Double-A Columbus, recording a 3.14 ERA with 13 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .146 average over 14.1 innings.
While Ritchie is projected to reach the majors in 2027, the Orioles’ potential rotation needs in 2026 might prompt an earlier debut.
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