The Atlanta Braves have a ton of starting pitching as they have up to seven guys who can start on their roster. Everybody is wondering who the oddman will be. However, as Bleacher Report points out, if the Braves want to trade a player in exchange for some reliever, Paul Maholm might be the best starting pitcher to deal.
It's not that the Braves can't use Maholm's veteran presence in their pitching rotation, which is composed of guys in their 20's. There are simply too many arms in Atlanta and with the team prepping itself for greatness in a couple of years as they look to have a great balance between veterans and youngsters, Maholm is the only guy the team doesn't feel like they are obligated to retain. Let's look at the other players in the rotation so this can make more sense.
Tim Hudson is an old-timer. He was in charge of the Braves' rotation after John Smoltz's role diminished following the 2007 season. There is no way the Braves would trade Hudson, even if he's in the last year of his contract. The 37-year-old hasn't been incredibly dominant, but he is currently working on getting his ERA under 4.00 and getting back to a .500 record as he's gone 6-7 in 19 starts this year.
Young pitching in Atlanta is spearheaded by the dominant trio of Julio Teheran, Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy. These are the organization's hurlers of the future and they will not break away from these players unless you throw in a major league superstar into the deal. Teheran is showing he can hang around in the majors, going 7-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 18 starts in his first chance to start every day at the major league level. Medlen has struggled getting run support in 2013. He's 6-9 with a respectable 3.64 ERA in 19 starts. Beachy will be making his debut after going through Tommy John surgery. He has showed signs of being a true ace as Beachy has a 12-10 record with a 3.07 ERA in 41 career starts.
Mike Minor presents the only lefty remaining in the Braves' rotation. If the organization didn't move him when the southpaw demanded a trade or a spot in the starting rotation, then there is no way the Braves are going to let Minor loose now. Regardless, Minor has been the team's best starter, going 9-4 with a 3.02 ERA in 19 starts this season.
So will Minor be the only lefty in the team's rotation if Maholm is traded?
No, the Braves have Alex Wood hanging around between the minors and the majors. The 22-year-old is 0-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 19 appearances (including a start). Wood could be moved to the starting rotation as Luis Avilan is the only other lefty in the bullpen. By moving Maholm, the Braves could acquire a left-handed reliever as there are a lot to choose from.
Maholm is 9-8 with a 3.98 ERA. He's struggled right before the All-Star Break, going 2-4 in his last six starts.
