Braves Confident in Rotation, Open to Trading for Playoff Starter

The Braves’ offseason strategy really centers on upgrading the starting rotation. Alex Anthopoulos is steering things, but the market hasn’t coughed up a clear front-line answer yet.

The team’s focused on landing a playoff-caliber starter. Injuries have chipped away at their internal depth, and there’s this ongoing tug-of-war between making a real upgrade and just adding another arm for depth.

Braves’ approach to starting pitching this offseason

Starting pitching has been the centerpiece of Atlanta’s winter plans. The market hasn’t delivered the slam-dunk pickup the front office wanted.

Anthopoulos has shopped broadly, checking in on hitters like Freddy Peralta and others. He’s watched several marquee names land elsewhere, while the Braves mostly filled out the bullpen and roster with veteran depth on minor-league deals.

The goal stays the same: secure a playoff starter who can slot into the postseason rotation right away. They’re not looking for a depth arm who just raises the floor.

Internal depth and rotation estimates

The Braves still feel confident about at least four rotation pieces: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Grant Holmes. Lopez and Holmes have injury histories, but Anthopoulos said the team has a better read on their status now, which eases some of the early offseason worries.

The fifth spot looks like it’ll be a competition among internal options, including Martín Pérez, Carlos Carrasco, Hurston Waldrep, Bryce Elder, and Didier Fuentes. Schwellenbach’s absence on the 60-day injured list makes it even more important for someone from this group to step up when spring rolls around.

• Martín Pérez
• Carlos Carrasco
• Hurston Waldrep
• Bryce Elder
• Didier Fuentes

Market activity: where the connected names ended up

While Atlanta weighs its options, several pitchers once linked to the Braves have landed elsewhere or are still in limbo.

• Lucas Giolito is still available, but his market has cooled as teams look elsewhere.
• Zac Gallen re-signed with Arizona, keeping a key NL West arm off the table.
• Chris Bassitt signed with Baltimore, so that’s another potential anchor gone.
• Freddy Peralta was traded to the New York Mets, which removes another top option from Atlanta’s list.

With Spencer Schwellenbach sidelined for at least 60 days, Atlanta’s need for a real front-line starter only grows. The market’s been tough to read, and while Atlanta can stay patient, the right upgrade could really tip the scales for a postseason run.

What Atlanta is truly seeking: a true postseason-caliber starter

Anthopoulos has made it clear he’d make room for a front-line starter if a real upgrade appears, even if it means paying more than usual. He’s not interested in a low-impact arm that keeps things steady but doesn’t really move the needle.

Finding a pitcher who can anchor a playoff rotation right away is a tall order, considering the current market and the Braves’ timeline. The strategy blends internal development with a willingness to take some external risks.

The front office may flirt with top-of-market options or pivot to a trade package that could land a proven playoff starter. There’s always a bit of gamesmanship in the public stance, as Anthopoulos tries to gauge what it’ll take to pull off a transformative move.

The path forward: balancing patience, depth, and a potential trade

Right now, Atlanta leans toward stability and upside instead of quick fixes. The club’s still open to a trade that meaningfully boosts the rotation, but they’re weighing the cost of giving up their own depth.

The real decisions depend on whether a postseason-caliber pitcher actually hits the market. They’re also watching to see if their own guys can step up and become trustworthy by October.

Anthopoulos has built a strong core and navigated injuries, all while the market for a true playoff starter keeps shifting. If he manages to land an elite arm without gutting the future, Atlanta’s rotation could jump from good to championship-level. For now, though, it’s a wait-and-see game, with starting pitching still front and center.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Braves Like Current Rotation, Open To Adding “Playoff Starter”