Yesterday the Braves announced that they have acquired LHP José Suarez from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP Ian Anderson. The club also optioned RHP Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett and reassigned RHP Jesse Chavez, RHP Craig Kimbrel and C James McCann to minor league camp. Earlier today The Morning Shift reacted to these moves, and explained how the Ian Anderson trade finalized the Braves starting pitching rotation.
“Basically your starting five is going to be Chris Sale opening day, [Reynaldo] López will take the mound in game two, and Schwelly [Spencer Schwellenbach] will go in three, and then Grant Holmes and A.J. Smith-Schawver will be your one through five.” Beau Morgan said
Beau and Mike both wonder if the newly acquired lefty in Suarez could be a candidate to potentially be the Braves sixth starter. If you remember, the Braves used six starters for the majority of last season to help preserve Sale and Lopez, and Mike and Beau think that could be something the Braves do again this season. Suarez will likely begin the season as Atlanta's long reliever, but as the season goes on he may be used as that sixth starter if he pitches well to start the season.
Ian Anderson, who is out of options, had 15 walks in 15 Grapefruit League innings, and that ultimately led to the Braves trading him to the Angels for lefty Jose Suarez, who is also out of options, so both guys may benefit from a change of scenery, but going into Spring Training the Braves had a log jam at the backend of their rotation, but after trading Anderson, and optioning Elder down to Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves starting pitching rotation is set and ready to go for Opening Day on Thursday.