The Atlanta Braves are among several MLB teams actively seeking help in their starting rotation. With pitchers like Freddy Peralta, Tarik Skubal, and Jose Soriano already off the market, the pool of available arms is beginning to shrink.
Still, the pitching market remains fairly deep, leaving Atlanta with viable options—and a new, intriguing trade candidate has recently surfaced.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Braves have reached out to the Texas Rangers to explore a potential deal for Jacob deGrom—the former Mets ace, two-time Cy Young Award winner, and current owner of a massive $185 million contract.
“Braves have inquired about Jacob deGrom,” Heyman reported. “The Rangers are open to listening on all players, though the likelihood of a deal remains unclear.”
The Rangers appear willing to consider moving nearly anyone as the trade deadline approaches, which could put deGrom within reach for Atlanta.
Although he’s no longer quite at his peak from his Mets days, deGrom has still been solid this season, posting a 3.96 ERA with a 7-7 record, 1.6 bWAR, and 135 strikeouts over 113.2 innings in 21 starts, along with a 3.32 FIP and 98 ERA+.
The veteran right-hander is also under team control through 2027, with a mutual option for 2028—meaning the Braves would be committing to more than just a short-term addition if they pursue a deal.
At 38 years old, deGrom represents a fascinating option for Atlanta at the trade deadline. While it’s unclear how likely the Rangers are to actually move him, there’s at least some indication that a deal isn’t off the table.
On paper, pairing deGrom with another veteran ace like Chris Sale would be exciting. However, his inconsistent performance this season, ongoing injury concerns, and hefty contract complicate the situation.
There’s also the question of trade cost. Despite his past dominance, the return Texas could demand might outweigh the value of what deGrom currently provides.
This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on in the coming hours, as it has the potential to turn into a very intriguing move for Atlanta if they’re able to get a deal done.
