3 reasons why Braves are perfect fit for Tarik Skubal at MLB trade deadline

2 hours ago 2

The Atlanta Braves are sitting atop the NL East right now with a 3.5-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. But, not too long ago, it was close to a double-digit game lead.

Atlanta's struggled while Philadelphia's thrived recently. It's gotten to a point where it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves fall behind the Phillies. To avoid such a scenario, the Braves need to make a move and swing big.

That's why it's fortunate that, as MLB.com's Mark Feinsand highlighted, the Braves have three reasons why they're a perfect fit for Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers' back-to-back Cy Young winner, at this year's MLB trade deadline.

3 reasons why Braves are a perfect fit for Tarik Skubal

1. Braves' top trade deadline need is a starting pitcher

"The rotation ranks third in the NL with a 3.85 ERA, but adding a frontline arm to pair with Chris Sale would help the Braves as they try to unseat the Dodgers as NL champs," Feinsand writes.

The Braves' top need at this year's trade deadline is starting pitching help for the rotation. With Spencer Strider on the injured list, along with a few other notable Braves pitchers, the need is already very apparent.

Add in that Bryce Elder has struggled a bit lately, and the Braves have a big need for starting pitching help this summer as the deadline approaches.

Skubal is probably the best starter available and would be a huge help for the Braves. But, the question is, can they afford him? Well, to put it simply, yes, they can.

MORE: Tigers’ projected trade return for Tarik Skubal from Braves would be a top-100 prospect and more

2. Braves have money to afford $32 million deal

Skubal won his arbitration hearing, earning a $32 million contract for the 2026 season. While the Braves (or any team adding Skubal in a trade) wouldn't take on all $32 million, it would still be a large contract figure to add a little over halfway through the season.

Fortunately, as Feinsand notes, "Atlanta has the financial flexibility to take on salary - Tarik Skubal's $32 million, for example..."

While some other clubs might balk at the financial aspect of a trade, the Braves won't have to worry about such a factor. But, most importantly, the Braves also won't have to worry about the cost of the trade itself.

MORE: Twins' Byron Buxton trade update is bad news for Phillies, Braves

3. Braves can afford to ship trade package needed to land Skubal

"... and the prospect capital to get a deal done," Feinsand writes on the Braves' spending power this summer.

While the Braves might not want to spend so much, if Alex Anthopolous decides to go for it and trade for Skubal, they have the prospect capital to do so.

Didier Fuentes, JR Ritchie, and Cam Caminiti are all great trade chips the Braves could use to land Skubal from the Tigers.

They have other top prospects they could part with as well, but a deal would likely be centered around one or multiple of those young pitchers.

MORE: Angles can demand more in trade for Reid Detmers than Tigers can for Tarik Skubal

Braves are a perfect fit for a Tarik Skubal trade for three reasons

Between the Braves' top need at this year's deadline being starting pitching, having the financial ability to take on just about any contract, and their abundance of resources to acquire help at the deadline, Skubal makes a ton of sense for the Braves.

While it would cost a lot, and is far from a guarantee of happening, it's clear the Braves would, and should, be one of the top suitors for the Tigers' Cy Young winner.