The Atlanta Braves signing of Jurickson Profar definitely plugged the biggest gap in the outfield, but let’s not get comfortable—there’s still work to do.
And while the rotation has some question marks, the bullpen might be the area that needs the most attention right now.
Losing both A.J. Minter and Joe Jiménez leaves serious holes in the bullpen depth. Those were two reliable arms in high-leverage situations; right now, there aren’t many proven options left to take their place.
Of course, some fans might argue that the rotation is the bigger issue, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong.
The departures of Max Fried and Charlie Morton mean the Braves are missing a ton of innings, and the internal options aren’t fully proven long-term at this level.
A New Trade Target Emerges
Here’s where things get interesting—a new trade target has surfaced that could address both of these problems in one move.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Padres are still listening to offers for Dylan Cease and Michael King. Braves fans have heard Cease’s name pop up in rumors before, but King? That’s a new one.
If you haven’t been paying close attention to the Padres, let’s talk about Michael King for a second. He was the key piece in the deal that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, and San Diego has to be pretty happy with how that trade worked out.
King delivered 173.2 innings of solid work, finishing with a 2.95 ERA, a strong 27.7% strikeout rate, and an 8.7% walk rate. He didn’t just perform in the regular season either.
He also made two postseason starts, logging 12 innings with a 3.75 ERA. That performance was good enough to land him seventh in Cy Young voting.
Solving Two Problems at Once
So how does King help the Braves kill two birds with one stone? Suppose Atlanta acquires King (or Cease, for that matter).
In that case, they suddenly have the flexibility to shift Reynaldo López back to the bullpen, where he’s already proven himself as a high-leverage weapon.
That helps stabilize the relief corps while also adding another capable starter to the rotation. Two needs, one move—sounds like a win.
What Will It Cost the Braves?
The real question is the asking price. The Braves have already been in discussions about Cease, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they’ve also inquired about King.
The Padres gave up Juan Soto to get him, so they won’t be letting him go for cheap. However, if the Braves can put together the right package, they might have a chance to address their biggest roster concerns in one fell swoop.
With Spring Training getting closer, expect the trade buzz to pick up soon. If the Braves want to solidify their pitching staff before Opening Day, making a move for King or Cease could be the way to do it.
