Imagining the perfect Braves rotation post-trade deadline

It’s been a rough five weeks for the Braves, featuring an offense that has been the worst in baseball and a rotation that’s fallen off the face of a cliff after a hot start to the season. The latter, however, has provided reasons for optimism over the last few days.

Grant Holmes turned in a solid outing last night, tossing five innings of one run ball — a reminder that while he may never be a frontline guy, he’s actually been fairly reliable at the back of the rotation. But the more notable outcomes were the performances of Reynaldo Lopez and Hurston Waldrep.

Lopez had his best start since 2024, also going five innings and allowing just one run with six strikeouts. The life on his heater improved and he was getting some whiffs, much more like the guy who was an All-Star and posted a sub-2.00 ERA not long ago.

Waldrep was equally impressive in his first start since returning from elbow surgery. He did allow three runs, but they all came before he even recorded an out. After that, he settled in and threw an efficient 5.1 scoreless innings on fewer than 80 pitches.

It’s only one start for each of them, so referring to either as back feels quite premature, but hope exists, especially as we continue to receive positive updates on AJ Smith-Shawver and Spencer Schwellenbach. Smith-Shawver began his rehab assignment this week, and Schwellenbach doesn’t appear to be far behind, potentially set to return around late August.

Not all of these guys need to be part of an imaginary drem rotation following the trade deadline, but the Braves need at least a couple of them to step up. It’s hard enough to acquire one high quality starting pitcher mid-season; getting two is nearly impossible without completely depleting the farm system — something I do not see the Braves doing.

Braves Dream Rotation Post-Trade Deadline

1. Chris Sale
2. Tarik Skubal
3. Spencer Schwellenbach
4. Hurston Waldrep
5. AJ Smith-Shawver/Reynaldo Lopez

We’re talking dreams here, so I’m not going to aim low. There are a plethora of reports floating around that the Braves are legitimate contenders in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, and there isn’t a better option to fill in next to Chris Sale atop the rotation. Having those two guys pitching multiple times in a potential playoff series would make any team nearly impossible to beat, and it’s not as if this is an unattainable vision. The Braves have more than enough prospect capital to pull off a trade for Skubal and still be in good shape regarding the future.

Behind them is Spencer Schwellenbach, which might be the most unrealistic aspect of this dream rotation. There are still concerns about him even returning this season — one setback and the Braves will shut him down until 2027. And even if he does return, who knows what the stuff is going to look like coming off not one but two major elbow injuries. However, the thought of a healthy Spencer Schwellenbach filling in behind Sale and Skubal is what dreams are all about.

Waldrep and then some combination of Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo Lopez round out the rotation. It’s too early to tell what each of them can provide, but Waldrep’s the one I have the most confidence in. Smith-Shawver and Lopez also have the type of stuff that can succeed out of the bullpen — and come October, there’s no need for five starters, assuming the Braves can make it that far.

I wanted to highlight this conversation for one primary purpose — Atlanta doesn’t need to be in the market for multiple starting pitchers at the trade deadline. I didn’t even mention the likes of Martin Perez, Grant Holmes, or Bryce Elder — all of whom are capable of rounding out the rotation. They should be in the market for one true frontline guy to pair with Chris Sale; that alone will make life a living hell for opponents come the postseason. What happens behind those two will sort itself out.