The Atlanta Braves are still reportedly looking to add another starting pitcher. While there are still plenty of options available in free agency, if the Braves don’t want to take a chance on arms like Chris Bassitt, Nick Martinez, or Zack Littell, Atlanta could consider making a big trade to acquire a dependable starter
With spring training’s official start being in about 10 days, there is still time for teams across MLB to tweak their roster ahead of the new season. A potential trade target for the Braves could be the Athletics‘ starter Luis Severino.
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Is Luis Severino a Trade Candidate?
According to Spotrac.com, Luis Severino is the third-ranked trade candidate across MLB.
Luis Severino is entering the second-year of a $45 million contract, which includes a 2027 player option that he would likely accept unless he has a monster 2026 season.
In this trade pitch, the Braves acquire Luis Severino from the Athletics, but it would cost them current starter Grant Holmes and prospect Garrett Baumann in a potential deal.
The Athletics need pitching help, and Luis Severino seems to be fed up with pitching in West Sacramento, which is a difficult place to pitch, and the A’s are still set to play at Sutter Health Park for the next two seasons.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Luis Severino #40 of the Athletics pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Holmes pitched to a 3.99 ERA over 115 innings and 21 starts in 2025. He comes with several years of team control, but could also be a trade asset for a Braves team that is aiming to win now.
An important aspect of this trade idea is the fact of how valuable Severino was last season while not pitching in Sacramento. His home/road splits as a starter are drastically different. In 80.2 innings on the road, Severino posted a 3.02 ERA. His home ERA? 6.02 over 82.1 home innings.
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Who Says No to This Trade Idea?
If the Braves picked up a large amount of Luis Severino’s salary, it would make it hard for the Athletics to say no to this trade idea.
They would be getting a young, controllable starter in Grant Holmes and the Braves’ sixth-ranked prospect in Garrett Baumann.
Luis Severino wouldn’t have to fit the bill of “Braves ace” due to Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach being the frontline starters, and Atlanta could even consider moving on from some of their other controllable arms like AJ Smith-Shawver or Joey Wentz to make a deal work.
The Athletics have been fairly active this offseason in both the free agency and trade markets. They traded for Jeff McNeil earlier this winter and recently extended shortstop Jacob Wilson.
It would be fair to assume that the Braves would be the team to turn this trade idea down, but Severino (when not pitching at home) has been one of the better starters in the last two seasons.
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