Braves could strengthen their starting lineup by partnering with a longstanding adversary.

The Atlanta Braves ought to think about making a move soon.

The 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline is less than a month away now that July has officially arrived. It makes perfect sense because Atlanta has already been associated with a number of players. Despite overcoming some difficult injuries, the Braves could still contend for a World Series championship this season.

The Braves seem to be aiming for help for the starting rotation, and a strong deadline may help push them over the top. Veteran Zach Eflin of the Tampa Bay Rays is one guy whom The Athletic’s David O’Brien and Jim Bowden suggested as a possibility.

“Braves get: (Right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin and Rays get: (Right-handed pitcher) Garrett Baumann, (Outfielder) Luis Guanipa,” said O’Brien and Bowden. “There are many reasons to admire Eflin, even if the Rays choose to deal him. He has the second-best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the majors with 63 strikeouts and just six walks in 81 1/3 innings. His walk rate, a majors-leading 0.7 per nine innings, is far higher than it was during the prime of his seven years with the (Philadelphia Phillies) through 2022, even though his strikeout percentage is much lower.

The Braves have some familiarity with Eflin as he spent the first seven years of his big league career with the rival Phillies. He certainly would help the Atlanta rotation with a 3.92 ERA in 15 starts so far this season.