The Atlanta Braves have officially backed themselves into a corner with their starting pitching situation. On Monday, the team announced that Spencer Strider is hitting the Injured List to start the season with an oblique injury. There’s just been too many injuries to Braves starters before the season has even begun to feel comfortable with all the internal options.
It’s time Atlanta and Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos thinks about making a meaningful trade, and there might be a trade option in Athletics’ starter Luis Severino. According to Spotrac, Luis Severino is the third-ranked trade candidate across MLB on the website.
More MLB 0n Heavy: Cubs Get Major Update on Seiya Suzukiâs Opening Day Status
What Would It Take for the Braves to Acquire Luis Severino
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Luis Severino #40 of the Athletics pitches against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on August 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
With reports from all angles that Luis Severino is not being a fan of pitching in Sutter Health Park, that makes him an automatic trade candidate, and the Braves could look to dip into their farm system and current roster to make a deal happen. Severino signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Athletics before last season, but also has a club option.
What is a trade package that could get a deal done?
The Braves should consider offering SS prospect Alex Lodise, LHP Cam Caminiti, and infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. to the Athletics in return for Luis Severino.
Atlanta’s rotation is dealing with injuries to Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, and others. The Braves are now faced with having to get meaningful starts out of Jose Suarez and Bryce Elder, which could be a big issue, and Atlanta is also leaning on Reynaldo Lopez heavily, but he has not pitched in MLB in nearly a year due to injuries.
More MLB on Heavy: Mets Trade Prediction Lands Astrosâ $60 Million Slugger for Mark Vientos
Why the Braves Are a Good Fit.
The Braves are a good fit for Luis Severino because Severino has been an effective, serviceable starter with the ability to take the ball pretty much every fifth day. He’s averaged 30 starts a season in each of the last two seasons.
In 2025, Severino posted a 4.54 ERA over 162.2 innings, but it’s important to note that his ERA away from Sutter Health Park was right around 3.00, and his ERA at home inflated to nearly SIX. So it makes sense why Severino himself might want to be traded from the Athletics, and he could thrive in the Braves organization, which desperately needs another stabilizing arm to pair with Chris Sale.
During the offseason, Alex Anthopoulos said publicly that the organization would be more willing to spend money, but it just hasn’t manifested yet, and fans are starting to grow frustrated.
Even if the Braves don’t trade for Luis Severino, they absolutely need to consider bringing in a fresh arm in some capacity. Making moves/signings for players on minor league deals just isn’t going to cut it if Atlanta wants to compete in the NL.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Trade Pitch Lands $340 Million, 3X All-Star Outfielder from NL Contender in Massive Move
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves Must Trade for Athletics’ $45 Million Starter After Spencer Strider News appeared first on Heavy Sports.