The Atlanta Braves have uncharacteristically struggled this season. They are 38-45 and are already essentially buried in the National League East.
Their Wild Card outlook doesn't look much better, as they sit eight games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final spot. But they may end up buying instead of selling this year at the trade deadline.
Their biggest need is starting pitching. The rotation has been decimated by injuries lately.
R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports listed veteran starter Nick Martinez as a fit for Atlanta.
"Martinez, who nearly threw a no-hitter his last time out, spent some time in the bullpen as of late after surrendering three home runs each in consecutive games. The Reds, still very much in the wild-card race, have the rotation depth to spare. In theory, they can move Martinez if they find a team who values him as a starter enough to absorb his salary," Anderson wrote.
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Martinez is 5-8 this season with a 4.12 ERA and 1.5 WAR in 16 starts and two relief appearances. He can be used in either role, which could certainly help the Braves.
With all of their injuries in the starting rotation, however, Atlanta might be best served using him exclusively as a starter if they decide to pick him up.
He is more of a pitch-to-contact arm, but can be a reliable source of innings, and because he is on an expiring contract, that might boost his trade value a bit.
There is plenty of time left in the season, but Atlanta will need to turn things around quickly if they want to make it back to the postseason. They have shown signs of life, but adding a rotation arm or two would benefit them tremendously.
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