The Atlanta Braves are facing a pitching crisis as they head into the 2025 season. With ace Spencer Strider recovering from major elbow surgery and both Charlie Morton and Max Fried leaving in free agency, Atlanta’s rotation is in desperate need of reinforcements. To address this, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer predicts the Braves could swing a blockbuster trade for Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López.
Rymer justifies the trade by highlighting the Braves’ depleted rotation. “Atlanta has sustained two significant departures with Morton in Baltimore and Fried in New York,” he writes. “The only thing to look forward to is Spencer Strider’s return from his second major elbow surgery in five years. It’s past time the Braves added a starter.”
López, who has three years left on a four-year, $73.5 million contract, would provide Atlanta with much-needed stability. In Rymer’s proposed deal:
- Braves receive: RHP Pablo López, C Christian Vázquez
- Twins receive: C Drake Baldwin (No. 5 prospect), RHP Hurston Waldrep (No. 3 prospect), RHP JR Ritchie (No. 7 prospect)
Though López posted a slightly underwhelming 4.08 ERA in 2024, he maintained an impressive 4.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio and showcased one of the league’s most effective four-seam fastballs. With his consistent above-average performance over the past three seasons, he could bring reliability to Atlanta’s rotation.
However, this proposed trade comes at a steep price for the Braves. Giving up two of their top pitching prospects—Hurston Waldrep and JR Ritchie—along with top catching prospect Drake Baldwin could be seen as an overpay for a pitcher who is “good, not great.” The inclusion of veteran catcher Christian Vázquez may soften the blow, but it’s a tough sell for a Braves team looking to secure its long-term future.
For the Twins, the deal would be a windfall. They’d gain significant talent for their farm system, ensuring a strong foundation for years to come.
As the Braves weigh their options, the question remains: Is López worth the cost? For a team in desperate need of starting pitching, Atlanta may have little choice but to make a bold move. Whether this trade becomes reality or not, it highlights the high-stakes decisions the Braves must make to remain contenders in 2025.
