Braves predicted to make stunning trade for $15M NL East rival All-Star, former NL wins leader originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves entered the All-Star break with a 55-40 record and a two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. After a strong start to the season, Atlanta has cooled off in recent weeks.

The Braves hit a rough stretch in June but are hoping to regroup following the much-needed All-Star break. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has also hinted that the club could be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.

“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I'm not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we're playing the way we are right now, we're going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.

Atlanta's biggest issue in June was undoubtedly its starting rotation. Outside of Chris Sale, the Braves' starters struggled to provide consistency.

“The Atlanta Braves find themselves in desperate need of stability in their starting rotation. What started as a strength has quickly devolved into a glaring weakness. GM Alex Anthopoulos has some serious work to do at the trade deadline to get things back on track. Chris Sale is the only truly dependable arm in the rotation at the moment. Everyone else has been average at best,” HTHB’s Steven Teal wrote.

The Braves are widely expected to pursue a starting pitcher before the trade deadline. ESPN's Jeff Passan believes Atlanta could target New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta.

“And even if certainty isn't exactly what Freddy Peralta has provided for the Mets this season, there's enough history there for Atlanta to treat him as the upgrade he would be. Maybe it's Peralta, and maybe it's Michael Wacha, and maybe it's one of a dozen other starting pitchers available. Whatever the Braves choose, their needs happen to align with the market's clear strength, and there are fewer sure bets at this deadline than Atlanta getting a starting pitcher,” Passan wrote.

A trade with the Mets would be an unexpected development, but Peralta could provide the Braves with a much-needed boost in the rotation. He has had an up-and-down season, though the Mets have also dealt with inconsistency throughout their roster.

Peralta is in the final year of his $15 million contract after being traded to the Mets from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason. He led the National League in wins in 2025, and the Braves would be hoping he could rediscover that form if they are able to complete a deal.

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