Over at ESPN Insider ($), Buster Olney has a list of the biggest holes contenders need filled at the trade deadline. And after the Ryan Dempster fiasco, it's no surprise that the Atlanta Braves starting rotation is high on his list:
But there have been cracks in Tommy Hanson's performance of late, and nobody knows if Ben Sheets can continue to throw so well, and help is needed in the rotation. This is why Atlanta tried to make a deal for Ryan Dempster and why they'll continue to talk about other available starters -- veteran pitchers who could provide stability.
Atlanta has been offering the most valuable asset in modern baseball -- cost-controlled young pitching -- so they should be able to acquire someone in the next week.
The Braves have long been respected throughout MLB for their ability to draft and develop players, and it could pay off for them in a big way by July 31.
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