ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, in light of a successful offseason, has emphasized that the Atlanta Braves are still in the market for at least one more starting pitcher.
It’s been slow as of late — your typical offseason lull — but the Braves came out firing on all cylinders and accomplished nearly everything on their checklist.
They went out and signed Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias — two of the top relievers in the game — to anchor the bullpen. They also re-signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, one of the best free-agent shortstops available, and improved the lineup’s flexibility with the additions of infielder Mauricio Dubón and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski.
The Braves’ rotation currently consists of Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider and a mix of Reynaldo López, Hurston Waldrep, Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes and Joey Wentz. Due to season-ending injuries to López and Holmes, it wouldn’t be surprising to see either in the bullpen come opening day. Elder, who was strong down the stretch in 2025, is out of minor league options. The 23-year-old Waldrep, who turned heads with his performance during his rookie campaign, would likely fill that fifth spot on opening day if the team opts to work with its internal options.
There are numerous possibilities, but after the team saw nearly every arm go down with an injury in 2025, it’s no surprise the Braves are looking for another arm to bolster an already impressive rotation.
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Here’s a look at potential additions the Braves could make as the offseason nears its end.
Top three free agents
An addition of Zac Gallen, Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez would immediately put the Braves among the league’s top contenders, but these three are seeking a good sum of money for a reason.
The only issue is that each of these three starters received a qualifying offer, meaning that by signing any of these starters, the Braves would lose their 26th overall pick in next summer’s MLB draft as well as the bonus pool money attached to this pick.
Gallen, following two Cy Young-caliber seasons for Arizona from 2022-23, accumulated just 3.7 WAR during the last two seasons, but has a track record of eating innings and showing durability. Suarez, an ace with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies, is also 30, but pitched much better than Gallen did last season, recording a 3.20 ERA in 157.1 innings and dominating the first two months of the season (1.30 ERA in June). Valdez pitched to a 3.66 ERA in 192 innings and is one of two hurlers (Logan Webb) to complete at least 175 innings while recording an ERA under 3.70 in each of the last four seasons.
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Trade candidates
Multiple starters have surfaced in the rumor mill. Tarik Skubal (Tigers), MacKenzie Gore (Nationals), Freddy Peralta (Brewers), Mitch Keller (Pirates), Kris Bubic (Royals), Nick Pivetta (Padres) and José Berríos (Blue Jays) have all been mentioned.
There is a growing expectation that Milwaukee will move Peralta before the start of the season, and his acquisition would likely require a smaller return than a top-tier arm such as Skubal or Gore. Peralta posted a career-best 2.70 ERA in 33 starts for Milwaukee last year and will be a free agent after the 2026 campaign.
Keller is currently under contract through 2028 and is owed roughly $55 million until then. The Pirates are likely looking for a decent return for a right-hander who has pitched more than 175 innings in each of the last three seasons.
The veterans
Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are strong candidates for one-year deals. Verlander and Scherzer, two future Hall of Famers, are on the brink of retirement and are likely looking for one-year deals to extend their careers.
Verlander finished strong in 2025, posting a 1.78 ERA in his final six starts of the season. Scherzer, however, dealt with a hand injury for most of the year, posting a 5.19 ERA in 17 regular-season starts for Toronto. Bassitt is 37, but has made 30 or more starts over the last four seasons.
Right-handers Zack Littell and Lucas Giolito could also fill the back end of the rotation for a reasonable price. Littell, 30, recorded a 3.81 ERA in 186.2 innings for Tampa Bay last season, while Giolito, 31, had a 1.29 WHIP in 145 innings with Boston.
OFFSEASON COVERAGE
- Cooperstown bound? Making the case for Andruw Jones’ Hall of Fame candidacy
- Braves claim LHP Ken Waldichuk off waivers from Athletics
- Braves sign SS Ha-Seong Kim to 1-year, $20 million deal
- Braves bolster bullpen, outfield with additions of Suarez, Yastrzemski
- Braves great Dale Murphy falls short in Baseball Hall of Fame voting
- Braves sign right-hander Joel Payamps to 1-year deal
- Braves tender contracts to 5 players, including newly acquired Dubón
- Braves top off busy night by acquiring utilityman Mauricio Dubón from Astros
- Braves bring back RHP Raisel Iglesias on one-year deal
- Braves finalize coaching staff for 2026 season
- Braves decline club options on relievers Tyler Kinley, Pierce Johnson
- Atlanta Braves name Walt Weiss team’s next manager
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