The Atlanta Braves (46-25, first in NL East) placed right-handed starting pitcher Spencer Strider on the 15-day injured list on Saturday due to right elbow inflammation, the team announced. Atlanta removed Strider during the fourth inning of Friday's 7-5 loss to the New York Mets after the right-hander allowed seven runs in three innings. The severity of the injury is unknown, but an immediate IL stint for an elbow issue suggests it'll likely keep Strider sidelined for several months. With the loss of Strider, who has a 3.41 ERA in 39 innings this season, the Braves may look to the trade market for a replacement. That could be good news for the Minnesota Twins.
Of course, the Twins could end up standing pat or even acquiring bullpen help at the deadline to make a run in the weak American League, but most signs point toward the team selling. If the Twins decide to sell ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, Joe Ryan would be the team's most valuable asset. With the Braves needing a Strider replacement, the team may be interested in Ryan, who has posted a 3.17 ERA with a 27.7% strikeout rate and 4.8% walk rate over 82 1/3 innings this season.
Who would Braves need to give up to acquire Ryan from Twins?
The Braves don't have the strongest farm system, with just two players (left-hander Cam Caminiti and right-hander JR Ritchie) among MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects.
FanSided floated a trade in which the Twins send the Braves Ryan in exchange for right-handers Hurston Waldrep and Owen Murphy. Waldrep, 24, missed the first few months of the season due to undergoing elbow surgery in February, but was just activated and optioned to Triple-A a few days ago. Waldrep, once a top 100 prospect, posted a 2.88 ERA in 56 1/3 innings across 10 appearances (nine starts) with Atlanta last season. Meanwhile, Murphy, the club's No. 5 overall prospect, has posted a 4.97 ERA in 63 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season.
Waldrep and Murphy could prove not to be enough to convince the Twins to give up Ryan, but they certainly are good starting points. Minnesota may demand Caminiti or Ritchie in a Ryan trade. Since Ryan is under team control through 2027, the Twins can be particular at the deadline and then trade him in the offseason if they don't receive an enticing enough offer. However, with the possibility of a delayed start next season, Minnesota may be inspired to trade Ryan this summer. In short, there are multiple variables for the Twins to think about. Hopefully, the team goes on a hot streak over the next couple of months, forcing the team to keep Ryan for a playoff push.
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