The Deal Was Real
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic broke the news that the Braves and Rangers actually had a trade agreement in place. This wasn’t just idle chatter or early rumors. Two baseball executives told Rosenthal that a deal was almost certainly locked before it fell apart. The only thing standing between Atlanta and one of the best arms in baseball was a simple signature on a waiver form.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos was ready to write a check. He planned to take on a huge chunk of Jacob deGrom’s remaining salary. The numbers are staggering for a team trying to stay under the cap. Anthopoulos could absorb $37 million next season and about $11 million this season. That is $48 million in total cost for the Braves to get the pitcher they wanted.
Whether deGrom wished to remain in Texas or waive his no-trade clause determined the trade. Executives observed that no-trade clauses are rarely requested to be waived near the deadline unless action occurs. That means the Braves were ready to go. They had the money, they had the plan, and they had the agreement. All that was missing was the pitcher’s permission.
Why It Fell Apart
Why would a player turn down a chance to play for a contender in his home state? That is the question on every fan’s mind. The deal required deGrom to waive his no-trade clause to move to Cobb County. If he did not want to leave Texas, the trade died instantly. The Rangers knew this risk, but they still tried to make it work.
The Braves also talked about other pitchers like José Soriano. A person briefed on the talks said Atlanta was involved in discussions for the right-hander. However, the team did not view those other starters as difference-makers. They wanted the big name. They wanted the ace who could change the playoff picture. That is why they were willing to pay the high price for deGrom.
The execs granted anonymity to speak freely about the situation. They pointed out that the timing of the request to waive the clause proved the deal was real. Teams do not waste time on false leads this late in the game. The silence from deGrom’s camp was the final answer. He chose to stay, and the Braves had to move on.
The failure to land deGrom leaves a gap in the rotation that money alone cannot fix. The Braves showed they are willing to spend big to win now. They were ready to take on nearly $50 million in salary for a single arm. That shows a clear desire to build a team that can compete immediately. But they cannot force a player to move if he does not want to.
Now the focus shifts to how the team adjusts its rotation for the rest of the season. They looked at Soriano and other options but found them lacking. The front office believed only deGrom was truly better than what they already had. That belief drove the $48 million offer. Now they must find a way to win without him.
The window for the 2024 season is still open. The Braves have a strong roster and a deep history of success. They will not sit back and wait for the next trade deadline. They will find another way to get the pitching they need. The attempt to get deGrom shows they are not afraid to make a bold move. That spirit will carry them through the final stretch.
