Teheran to the Red Sox?

The Atlanta Braves are firmly entrenched as having the worst major league roster in baseball right now. While it is only May, I am one of many who believe that they will continue to sell big this trade season. Braves management has been set on keeping SP Julio Teheran to be the veteran presence in their young rotation, but starting pitching is always in demand and Teheran is a good young pitcher. He is also on a very team friendly contract that runs through 2019 with an option for 2020.

So this poses the question of who will want Teheran? The Braves hit the jackpot in their return for Shelby Miller this winter, but asking for that much of a haul will be a stretch. But that does not dismiss the fact that Teheran could bring a very nice haul from a contending team. Look no further than the Boston Red Sox, who are fighting for the top spot in the tightly contested AL East. Their rotation is struggling and thin, and another starter could make them the strong front-runner in this division.

Here is the trade that I have proposed:

Red Sox receive: Julio Teheran, Tyler Flowers

Braves receive: Christian Vazquez, Brian Johnson, Michael Chavis, Sam Travis

This trade gives the Braves a young catcher that they really need, and rumors have surfaced that the Red Sox would part with him for a good starter. They also receive Johnson who could step right into the rotation and be a good back-of-the-rotation starter. Chavis and Travis are two corner infielders who can hit, as Travis could take over for Freddie Freeman if he is traded and could also potentially move to LF.

The Red Sox receive a high-end no. 3/low-end no. 2 starter that can give more depth and talent to their shaky rotation, while Flowers can step in and be not that much of an immediate downgrade for the Red Sox behind the plate.

I see a Teheran move happening much closer to the deadline if it does happen. But the Red Sox are a contending team that needs pitching and they are not afraid to make big moves. Whether or not they will pay a Shelby Miller-esque price is questionable but the Braves could cash in on Teheran this summer with a team like Boston.