Unironically, the Atlanta Braves are playing the Athletics in a three-game set this week. On Wednesday, the pitching matchup will be Chris Sale toeing the rubber for the Braves, and he will oppose Luis Severino.

In a recent Bleacher Report article by Zachary D. Rymer, Luis Severino is named as a ‘best fit’ for the Atlanta Braves in a potential trade. Rymer names Severino as one of MLB’s 10 best trade chips for this season.

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Luis Severino #40 of the Athletics pitches against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on August 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Here is the reasoning Rymer gives as to why Severino might be a trade chip this season:

“Severino’s surplus value suggests he isn’t worth what he’s being paid, and there is some truth to that. He only had a 4.54 ERA last year. His strikeout rate deteriorated to only 6.9 per nine innings.”

“His stuff is still good, though, and two splits from 2025 make him look salvageable: a 3.02 ERA away from Sacramento, and a 3.10 ERA in the second half.”

Luis Severino’s surplus value is -$7.2 million, which makes him a piece the Athletics may want to move on from. If the A’s did decide they wanted to offload Severino, the Braves should consider making a move for him.

Atlanta might be backed into a corner if its starting rotation deals with any more injuries, and while the Braves are off to a solid start in 2026, the NL East is one of the toughest divisions in baseball, and it’s likely to come down to the very end of the season.

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What Could the Braves Potentially Give Up?

The Athletics don’t necessarily need any more bats, as they already have a strong core of hitting pieces, but pitching has been an issue for some time now.

That’s likely why they went out and signed Severino to a two-year, $45 million contract in the first place.

However, due to playing at Sutter Health Park, pitching is going to be a lot more difficult, and it’s hard to blame a pitcher for not wanting to pitch there. Severino’s stats last season were very emblematic of that.

As far as what the Braves could potentially give up to acquire Severino? They might have to add in one of their young pitching prospects, like LHP Cam Caminiti.

If the Braves don’t want to give up one of their top prospects, another name to consider is Nacho Alvarez Jr., who has some MLB experience and could fill one of the A’s infield spots.

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