This week’s SB Nation Reacts question asked which Atlanta Braves’ pitcher was most deserving of an All-Star nod. Veteran left-hander Chris Sale won going away capturing 56% of the vote. Fellow new addition, Reynaldo López finished second with 38% while Max Fried came in a distant third.
There is a good chance that Sale and Lopez are both selected if they continue to pitch well. I think Fried has the opportunity to pitch himself into the mix as well and I’m a little shocked that he received such a tiny share of the vote. Throw out the two bad starts to begin the season and he has been as good as anyone. With that said, I think Sale is obviously the correct answer and he has exceeded all of the expectations the Braves had for him coming into the 2024 season.
This week’s national questions centered on the trade deadline. The first asked who is the best player that will be available at the deadline. White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. garnered 34% of the vote with Mets first baseman Pete Alonso coming in at 30%.
This might be a controversial take, but I think Alonso has a much better chance of moving that Robert does. Robert is an uber talented player who has club control, but has played more than 100 games in a season just once. His contract, while affordable, isn’t nothing and the White Sox will no doubt want a major return. With so much team control, they also have the option of holding on to Robert and then entertaining offers again during the offseason. Alonso is a free agent to be and could be a difference maker for a club in the postseason or one that is trying to secure a spot in the playoffs.
The second question asked which team will be the first to start their fire sale. The White Sox were the pick at 64% with the Mets coming in second at 17%. The White Sox already traded Dylan Cease so you could technically say that they have already begun their sell off.
Thanks to everyone that voted. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We will be back again next week.
