The Atlanta Braves enter Monday with a 35-41 record and sit seven games back from a National League wild card spot. With Chris Sale now sidelined, a trade may be necessary to keep their postseason hopes alive.
There’s still time for Atlanta to turn things around, but losing Sale to a fractured rib is a major setback. The team hasn’t provided a timetable for his return, and if he’s out for an extended stretch, the Braves may need to find a temporary replacement. FanSided’s Steven Teal floated the idea of bringing back Charlie Morton.
“Alright, we get it—there’s some skepticism,” Teal acknowledged. “Morton hasn’t had the strongest season overall, but he’s looked sharper recently. While he may not be the pitcher he once was, he makes sense as a trade target. The Braves know him well, he fits the clubhouse culture, and he brings veteran experience.”
Morton owns a 5.65 ERA across 67 innings this season. However, since returning to the starting rotation on May 26, he’s posted a 2.42 ERA with 34 strikeouts, and the Orioles have won all five of his starts since then.
With Baltimore expected to be sellers at the trade deadline and Morton on a one-year deal, he could be a realistic and cost-effective option for the Braves. He wouldn’t require giving up top prospects and could help Atlanta stay afloat in the playoff chase.
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