Braves Predicted To Target $130 Million Star After Justin Verlander Whiff

The Atlanta Braves were reportedly one of the top teams in pursuit of free-agent pitcher Justin Verlander. Atlanta is working to replace the production of both Charlie Morton and Max Fried, which is quite a tall task.

Unfortunately for the Braves, Verlander signed elsewhere, inking a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

FanSided's Christopher Kline believes the Braves could pivot to another future Hall-of-Fame pitcher after losing out on Verlander. Kline suggested the Braves could target Verlander's former teammate Max Scherzer.

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 11: Max Scherzer #21 (L) and Justin Verlander #35 of the New York Mets meet in the dugout during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on... Dylan Buell/Getty Images

"The Braves were an ideal landing spot for Justin Verlander on paper — an established contender with a clear need for pitching depth, but with enough established star-power to insulate him and protect him in the event of injuries," Kline wrote. "Verlander probably isn't the 160-plus inning workhorse of yesteryear, but the Braves would have benefitted from his two decades of MLB experience.

"Why not follow a similar path with Max Scherzer, the 40-year-old free agent who once shared a clubhouse with Verlander in New York? Scherzer, another three-time Cy Young winner and two-time champ, would bring decades of winning experience and a recent track record of success to Atlanta."

Scherzer may not be the worst option for Atlanta. There's a misconception around baseball that he's a bad pitcher, but that's not completely true. The 40-year-old has tossed 341 1/3 innings over the last three seasons with a 3.16 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

He wouldn't be the end-all, be-all solution for the Braves, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to add him on a one-year contract.

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