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Braves predicted to trade JR Ritchie, No. 1 prospect for $32M Cy Young winner to boost rotation

Braves predicted to trade JR Ritchie, No. 1 prospect for $32M Cy Young winner to boost rotation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves became the first team to reach 40 wins this season after defeating the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. Atlanta has accomplished that despite dealing with injuries throughout the year and a starting rotation that still isn’t at full strength.

Before the season, pitchers like Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach underwent elbow surgery. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged before the season that Atlanta needed to add another starter.

“We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s a trade or signing. We’d like for it to be someone impactful, someone we think can start a playoff game,” Anthopoulos said.

With two months of the season now in the books, it is becoming clearer which players could be available at the trade deadline. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes Atlanta could land Tarik Skubal by dealing away its top prospects.

“Atlanta Braves get LHP Tarik Skubal; Detroit Tigers get LHP Cam Caminiti (Braves No. 1), RHP JR Ritchie (Braves No. 2). Neither is a sure thing. Ritchie has had control issues in the minors and majors this year. Caminiti is only 19, and saddled with a 5.19 ERA at the High-A level. Put these things together, and you get smooth edges the Tigers would have to shave down,” Rymer wrote.

Atlanta would likely have to outbid teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres.

“Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.

If the Braves want to make an all-in push in 2026, Skubal is arguably the perfect target. However, there is significant risk involved. Skubal is set to become a free agent after the season, and Atlanta has historically been cautious about sacrificing too much of its future for short-term upgrades.

Skubal’s asking price could end up being more than the Braves are willing to pay. Giving up top prospects for only a few months of control may not be worth it. On the other hand, if the move helps bring another World Series title back to Atlanta, it could ultimately be the type of gamble worth making.

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