Bravos Insight

Looking at the Braves current roster construction, one has to wonder if there is a “Need” to add another starter to the rotation. It’s pretty obvious the difference between “Want” and “Need”, and while every organization “Wants” more pitching, it doesn’t mean the “Need” is there. After last season, the Braves are in a position of “needing” to ensure their organizational depth is adequate enough to not just survive the catastrophic debacle of injuries that plagued 2025, but to thrive in a manner fitting of an organization held in high regard for their rich history, consistent on-field success, talented roster, strong fan base, and innovative business operations.

The Braves current rotation starts and ends with health, no matter what happens the rest of the off-season. The list of injuries from 2025’s rotation reads like an NFL team. Chris Sale (fractured ribs), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow fracture), Grant Holmes (elbow inflammation), AJ Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery), and Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery) all missed significant time in 2025. Just because Strider’s name is not on the list, doesn’t mean he didn’t miss time. It was because he didn’t get injured in 2025. Strider was recovering from a right elbow surgery (UCL repair with internal brace) he underwent in April 2024, which caused him to miss the end of the 2024 season and the beginning of the 2025 season. He began the season on the 15-Day Injured List (retroactive to March 24, 2025) and missed 17 games before making his 2025 debut on April 16.

If the season started today, the rotation would consist of (1) Sale, (2) Schwellenbach, (3) Strider, (4) Lopez, (5) Waldrep/Holmes. If healthy, this is a formidable rotation and would offer the same list of depth options if, and when, injuries sneak up and bite. One of Waldrep or Holmes would end up in the bullpen, which would be first man up in case of injury. This would be followed by the treasure trove of familiar names like Bryce Elder, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Dodd, and Joey Wentz who all currently reside somewhere on the 40-man roster. Names like Drew Hackenberg, Blake Burkhalter, Lucas Braun, and Ian Mejia are all waiting for their opportunities in the minors, with higher profile names like JR Ritchie and Cam Caminiti still a year or so away.

Everything stated in the previous paragraph is a perfectly acceptable plan. It’s safe. It’s sustainable. However, it doesn’t follow the message Alex Anthopoulos (AA) has been sending this offseason. The message, or at least the subliminal messages received from this computer monitor, is a message that every Karate Kid fan of the 80’s heard loud and clear from the Cobra Kai Dojo: “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy Sir”! AA has shown no issues going after what he deems necessary to improve his roster. Over $100M this offseason, and there’s still several weeks left before Spring Training begins. So the question was, “Do the Braves Need Another Starter?”, and the answer is – YES!

There are still several names of available pitchers who are currently available. However, players who are attached to qualifying offers need to  be removed, because the Braves should not give up a first round draft pick for a rental player. The Braves received an extra first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft (the 26th overall pick) due to Drake Baldwin’s National League Rookie of the Year win, triggering the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). This gives Atlanta two first-rounders (pick 9 and pick 26) and a substantial bonus pool to boost their draft. Signing a player with a qualifying offer would remove the 26th pick and the bonus pool that came with the PPI allotment. Having 2 top 26 picks is the type of first round that helps turn the corner on a depleted farm system. This mentality removes names like Zac Gallen (ARI), Framber Valdez (HOU), and Ranger Suárez (PHI) from the list. Removing the top three names from the list hurts a little, but it doesn’t remove everyone from the list. 

Anthopoulos was pretty specific on what he was looking for in the starting pitching market. “We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s trade or signing,” Anthopoulos said. “It would be great if we could add someone that maybe slots everybody down a peg in our rotation,” Anthopoulos continued. This should remove names like Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle and Jose Quintana, who are quality names, but do they offer enough upside over what is currently on the roster? Two names stand atop the remaining pitchers as the most obvious choices, but really the hope is only one of these two are on AA’s list.

Lucas Giolito (2.1 WAR), who is coming off a year with Boston in which he pitched 145 innings, a 3.41 ERA, 1.290 WHIP, and a 4.17 FIP. He is considered a good, but not elite, pitcher who has shown the ability to be a high-end No. 3 starter after a strong 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox. He has had a fluctuating career, including dominant stretches and significant struggles, as well as a missed 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. Even though he has high upside, the jury is still out on his durability and consistency, especially for an organization that is looking for stability and consistency.

Chris Bassitt (2.1 WAR), who is coming off a year in Toronto in which he pitched 170 innings, a 3.96 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, and a 4.01 FIP. Bassitt is considered to be a good and reliable pitcher, known for his durability and consistent performance over his 11-year MLB career. He typically provides many quality innings as a veteran starter. Bassitt has pitched over 155 innings in every season since 2021, demonstrating exceptional durability. He set career highs in wins (16), starts (33), and innings pitched (200.0) in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays. Bassitt will be 37 in 2026, and Kiley McDaniel (ESPN) projects Bassitt to receive a 2 year/$34 million contract ($17M AAV). This would line up with exactly the type of contract AA has been offering this offseason, and plays well for not blocking the progression of future Braves starters.

If the Braves are indeed adopting a win-now mentality, Chris Bassitt is a player they should seriously consider acquiring. His profile as a groundball pitcher (with a 46.5% groundball rate placing him in the 79th percentile) indicates his effectiveness in limiting hard contact. This skill set would align well with the Braves’ strong infield defense and the environment of Truist Park, which is less conducive to hitters compared to his previous venue, Rogers Centre. Moreover, this acquisition would bolster the bullpen by providing Lopez and Homes the opportunity to transition into relief roles early in the season as they work toward regaining their health. This not only enhances the depth of the bullpen but also introduces an additional option for the “next man up” scenario should a starter need to be skipped in the rotation or if an injury arises unexpectedly. Hence, while this situation may initially seem to be a “want,” the necessity for an improved 2026 season may compel Anthopoulos to pursue the acquisition of another starter. It is to be hoped that this shopping endeavor yields high-quality options, rather than another “low-risk” investment.