The Atlanta Braves have sent right-hander Bryce Elder down to Triple-A, a move that came without much hesitation. At just 25 years old, Elder wasn’t performing up to the team’s expectations, recording a 4.50 ERA.
Add to that the fact that the Braves are getting healthier on the pitching front—with Spencer Strider expected to return soon—and there simply isn’t much space left in the rotation for Elder. Still, even though he hasn’t pitched up to his standards to begin the season, Elder may be too talented for Triple-A, something he’s shown at various points in his career.
Braves’ Bryce Elder Showed Promise for Two Seasons
In the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, the Texas native performed well, recording a 3.17 ERA in 2022 and a 3.81 ERA in 2023. While his 2023 campaign wasn’t his strongest, it was solid enough for the Braves to keep him in the rotation every fifth game. He even earned his first career All-Star selection after an impressive first half.
Although things haven’t gone according to plan lately, there’s a good chance a team might take a chance on him. It’s unclear which team that might be, but there’s certainly reason to think someone would be interested in acquiring a 25-year-old who’s been an All-Star and has experience pitching in high-leverage spots for one of MLB’s top clubs.
Braves Are Looking to Trade Bryce Elder
As the trade deadline approaches, the Atlanta Braves could look to move Bryce Elder before his value declines further. That seems to be the message coming from the team, which has hinted that dealing Elder now is logical given he no longer fits into their plans. With no room for him in either the rotation or bullpen—barring an injury—trading him could be the most practical option.
“Dealing Bryce Elder is a logical move, considering he doesn’t project well as a bullpen arm and carries some inconsistency in his track record. This is the strongest version of Elder the Braves have seen in more than two years, but there’s plenty of uncertainty about whether he can sustain it. That makes him the most likely candidate to be moved out of the rotation.”
“You can’t risk giving up the high ceiling of AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes provides flexibility with his potential to shift back to the bullpen if necessary. That makes Bryce Elder the odd man out in the rotation with Spencer Strider returning,” wrote Nick Halden of ATL All Day.
Braves Face Challenge in Trading Bryce Elder
The only complication is that, even with a healthy roster, the Atlanta Braves may still need to add another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. As for Bryce Elder, the team will likely be seeking someone who can offer more than what he currently brings to the table.
The Braves could package Elder with another player in a trade to land a more impactful starter, but whether that kind of deal materializes remains to be seen.
Atlanta has other areas to address as well, but it’s unrealistic to expect a superstar return for a player selected in the fifth round.
It’ll be interesting to watch how this unfolds, but there’s a good chance he could be on the market. Ultimately, it will depend on what the Braves can get in return, but if there’s no spot for him to pitch, it makes little sense for either the team or the player to hold onto him.
