Overview
- MLB.com reporting on Thursday revealed the Braves discussed a contract-swap that would have sent Spencer Strider to the Texas Rangers for Jacob deGrom, but deGrom used his no-trade clause to block the deal.
- Strider remains on the 60-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation, was cleared to begin a throwing program in August, and is listed as a questionable return for 2026 on MLB’s injury tracker.
- Financial terms make any move complex because Strider is owed about $22 million in both 2027 and 2028 with a $22 million club option for 2029, while deGrom carries roughly $37–38 million in near-term salary and a club option beyond that.
- Atlanta’s willingness to offer a former rotation cornerstone reflects a reassessment driven by Strider’s recent durability and performance issues, including limited innings since 2024 and elevated run averages over the last three seasons.
- The immediate fallout is likely to be offseason trade speculation and roster work by Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos as the club weighs Strider’s medical reports, market interest, and the broader impact on its rotation and payroll.