The Atlanta Braves might be on the verge of adding serious firepower to their starting rotation. And if the Pittsburgh Pirates are really “open to the idea” of dealing away a couple of their best arms, that opens up some interesting possibilities. Let’s talk about two names that are driving discussions: Mitch Keller and Jared Jones.
If you’re the Braves’ front office, you must feel the pressure after losing Max Fried to the Yankees. Fried’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the rotation that can’t just be filled with any random arm.
Jared Jones: The High-Upside Flamethrower
Jared Jones is a 23-year-old right-hander with electric stuff. This kid’s got potential written all over him. He finished the 2024 season with a 6-8 record, a 4.14 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in 121.2 innings. Not bad for someone still getting his feet wet in the majors.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. The scouts, the analysts, and the baseball talking heads agree — Jones is a future star. He throws hard, has movement, and is only going to get better, especially if he lands with an organization like the Braves, who have a proven track record of polishing young talent.
Jones is still on a league-minimum contract and has multiple years of team control left. That’s music to any front office’s ears, especially one trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
But trading for Jones won’t come cheap. If the Braves want him, they will likely have to part with at least one MLB-ready bat and maybe even a solid pitching prospect from their farm system. It’s a hefty price tag, but one that might be worth it for the long-term upside Jones offers.
Mitch Keller: The Reliable Rotation Anchor
On the other side of the equation, we’ve got Mitch Keller. This guy is a known quantity. The 28-year-old made the All-Star team in 2023, and while he’s not flashy, he’s reliable. He’s posted an ERA of 4.25 or better for the past three seasons.
In 2024, Keller pitched 178 innings with a 4.25 ERA, 166 strikeouts, and a 1.303 WHIP. Those are solid, dependable numbers. If you’re the Braves and you want someone who can eat innings and deliver consistent performances, Keller’s your guy.
The appeal of Keller is that you know what you’re getting. He’s not a gamble. And while he’s not going to light up the radar gun or have people calling him the second coming of Jacob deGrom, there’s immense value in having a steady arm in the rotation — especially one who can keep the team in games and save the bullpen from being overworked.
Which Direction Should the Braves Take?
So, what’s it going to be for the Braves? The young, high-upside flamethrower in Jared Jones or the proven, steady hand in Mitch Keller? Either way, the Pirates seem set on upgrading their offense, which means the Braves will need to cough up some serious bats to make a deal happen.
Of course, the Braves’ decision could also depend on what they want their 2025 payroll to look like. Keller’s arbitration salary won’t break the bank, but it’s still higher than Jones’ rookie contract. Jones might be the better fit if the Braves are determined to stay flexible with their finances.
The Braves are in a prime position to snag one of these guys, and either pitcher could be a game-changer. Jones brings that tantalizing upside and cheap control, while Keller offers the kind of reliability every rotation needs. It’s a tough call, but for a team with championship aspirations, it’s a good problem to have.
As a loyal and loving Pittsburgh Pirate fan who has never missed a Bucco box score since 1956- even when serving overseas in the U.S. Army in the 1960’s – when Dale Long’s 1956 record setting 8 home runs in 8 consecutive games on a last place team captured the headlines in the Knoxville-News Sentinel. A twelve- year old boy fell in love with a baseball team for life…. and also accquired a whole lifetime dislike for the Brave’s Organization way back in 1960 when big Joe Adcock, Milwaukee’ Braves’ first-baseman , blasted a double in the 13th to break up the Pirate’s Harvey Haddox’s perfect no-hit game…” unforgivable “… Go Buccos!!!!!
Therefore, I am not too keen on Atlanta picking up either of the Pirates’ pitching aces!