The Atlanta Braves are looking to trade for starting pitching. This has become their main concern as they currently have two of their starting five on the shelf. The trade rumors feature Bud Norris of the Houston Astros as a team favorite, with the trade deadline lurking less than a week away. What can Norris bring to the table?
Jon Morosi of Fox Sports tweeted that the Braves were active suitors in the mix for Norris. Norris, like Matt Garza and Jake Peavy, has been heavily rumored to being traded before the upcoming deadline. Garza was moved to Texas, while Peavy is still hanging out with the Chicago White Sox, but it's only a matter time before he gets traded somewhere, as the White Sox appear to be one of the biggest sellers at the deadline.
Norris' 6-6 record with a 3.93 ERA isn't too impressive. His 90 strikeouts in 126 innings pitched aren't that impressive either. However, Norris is a sure bet to stay healthy through the course of a season. He's made at least 27 starts from 2010-2012 for the Astros. Also, acquiring Norris means the Braves can have another pitcher under their control until 2016, as Norris is an arbitration-eligible player.
One thing Braves fans must ask themselves when considering Norris, how has he faired against the N.L. East? Well, herein lies the problem. The Astros are in the A.L. West now, and the only National League teams Norris has faced this season are the Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals. Analysts believe that Tim Hudson's injury wil give division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, a chance to catch up to the Braves.
On Thursday, Braves fans got to see what life will be without Hudson in the roster. The Braves bullpen lost the game as Kameron Loe unraveled against the measily New York Mets. That bullpen spot belonged to Kris Medlen before he was moved to the rotation out of necessity, and he will remain in the starting rotation until the Braves can add either another arm or Brandon Beachy to their starting rotation.
Bud Norris could be that guy added to the Braves starting rotation, but he is amongst players like Peavy, Ervin Santana and Yovani Gallardo, who have also been rumored to draw interest from the team.
