Braves' failed trade for Rangers' Jacob DeGrom just became GM Alex Anthopoulos' biggest blessing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Some would consider the Atlanta Braves the biggest losers of the 2026 MLB trade deadline after they failed to land any major names. Atlanta needed an outfield bat and frontline starting pitching to add alongside Chris Sale. The Braves acquired outfielder Lane Thomas to platoon in left field and only brought in Tyler Mahle as a starting pitcher, which left many fans and analysts confused. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos responded to the criticism, explaining that the team's only goal at the trade deadline was to make the roster better. “We did not go into the deadline with 'hey we have to get this.' We're just trying to make the team better,” Anthopoulos said. Atlanta did try to make a move for one of the best starting pitchers to ever play the game. Anthopoulos all but had a deal completed with the Texas Rangers for Jacob deGrom, but the veteran exercised his no-trade clause. “deGrom, 38, exercised the no-trade clause in his Rangers’ contract to put the kibosh on trade talks that would’ve sent him to Atlanta last week,” Gabriel Burns reported for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The talks were extensive enough that the Braves and Rangers had the structure of a deal in place, which is why Texas approached him for approval.” It was disappointing for Atlanta that the deal did not get completed, but as of Thursday, the trade falling through may have become the biggest blessing the Braves could have received. deGrom suffered an injury while pitching for the Rangers. “We'll find out the severity of Jacob deGrom's tricep fatigue after the game, but with his glute/hip soreness already a thing and with Nathan Eovaldi on the injured list, the Rangers are in a brutal position with their two horses right now,” Rangers reporter Shawn McFarland posted. If deGrom is dealing with fatigue issues in August, he may have been of little help to Atlanta during the divisional race and could have been a liability heading into the postseason. His decision to decline the trade could ultimately prove to be the best-case scenario for the Braves. Meanwhile, Mahle has been dealing since joining Atlanta, pitching well in his first two starts with the Braves. There is no telling what deGrom would have done in those two starts, especially now that he is dealing with triceps fatigue. What initially looked like a disappointing trade that got away from Anthopoulos could ultimately be a blessing in disguise. The Braves may have gotten saved by the bell when deGrom decided not to waive his no-trade clause. More MLB news:
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