MLB Rumors: The Atlanta Braves have pitching help on the way, Max Scherzer has a trade match if the New York Mets sell, and Adam Wainwright going to the bench?
MLB rumors: Who needs a trade? More pitching help is coming for Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have to be considered the favorites to represent the National League in the World Series later this year. After all, they do hold the best record in the league entering Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins, and have a substantial lead over the second-place Miami Marlins and third-place Philadelphia Phillies.
As is the case for any top MLB team entering the trade deadline, fans and media members begin predicting who they could land to strengthen their roster for their second-half push.
When it comes to pitching, that may not be an area they need to address, given the updates they have received from Jackson Stephens and Kolby Allard.
Stephens didn't make it onto the Braves' 40-man Opening Day roster and was sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett. But, he dealt with an injury that forced him to the sidelines. However, Stephens is in the midst of a rehab assignment and getting a start for their Florida Complex League team on Thursday.
Last year with the Braves, Stephens recorded a 3.69 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, 23 walks, and two saves in 39 games.
As for Allard, he was officially activated off of the 60-day injured list after dealing with a grade 2 oblique strain. With this move, Allard was given the start for the Braves on Wednesday to face the Twins. In that game, Allard struck out eight batters and surrendered three hits and zero earned runs in 4.2 innings of work. Allard also threw strikes on 52-of-71 pitches thrown.
Allard is back with the Braves and impressed in his first start, while Stephens is on his way back. Not bad for Atlanta.
MLB rumors: A potential trade match for Max Scherzer?
As of this writing, the New York Mets do not plan on selling at the Aug. 1 trade deadline, and owner Steve Cohen didn't hold his press conference before Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Putting all of that aside, the Mets have been the biggest disappointment thus far in 2023, mostly because they have the biggest payroll and find themselves below .500 and significantly behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East.
If the Mets continue to flounder as the season progresses, selling would be an option that the fanbase could get behind. It would be a way for the team to replenish the farm system. One name that could be floated is Max Scherzer, who is not having the best of seasons, but he's a multi-time Cy Young winner. He would certainly garner attention from teams looking to bolster their rotations for the second half of the season.
According to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, "several industry sources" indicated that Scherzer would waive his no-trade clause for the right situation.
One team that may need a starting pitcher just so happens to be the Cincinnati Reds.
Hunter Greene is currently on the 15-day injured list due to right hip discomfort. For those fans hoping that he would return in that span, it's not happening. Greene is heading to Arizona for a strengthening program, then will begin a throwing program. In total, that could take about four-to-six weeks, so Greene's going to be out until at least August.
The Reds are currently in first place in the NL Central, but the Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and even the St. Louis Cardinals aren't too far behind them. The Reds had the fifth-ranked farm system in the league entering the season (via MLB Pipeline), so they have the prospects to make some moves to bolster their roster and make a run to an NL pennant or the World Series.
Would Cincinnati be the right situation for Scherzer to waive his no-trade clause? Who knows. All we can say is, it's a hypothetical situation to think about.
MLB rumors: Could Adam Wainwright end up out of the Cardinals rotation?
The St. Louis Cardinals' run in the postseason year ran shockingly short, getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Series. With Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina officially retiring, Adam Wainwright decided to play one more season for the Cardinals. So far, that decision has not panned out like many had expected, including Wainwright.
Wainwright was in the spotlight this weekend as the Cardinals were in London to take on the Chicago Cubs. On Saturday, Wainwright pitched just three innings, where he surrendered seven earned runs on 11 hits (including two home runs), and failed to record a single strikeout.
On the year, Wainwright recorded a 6.56 ERA, a 1.821 WHIP, a 3-2 win-loss record, 24 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 46.2 innings of work.
Given those numbers, could the Cardinals do seemingly the unthinkable and bench Wainwright? That's difficult to say, given the team's current situation. They have one of the worst records in the National League, yet aren't far behind for first place in the Central division. If they were to sell at the Aug. 1 trade deadline, various starting pitchers could be moved, including Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, both of whom are free agents after this year. If they were to be moved, the Cardinals would have two open spots in the rotation.
There is plenty of time for the Cardinals to turn things around, especially with how wide open the division is. But if Wainwright continues to struggle, the team may have to make a difficult decision.
