Will the Atlanta Braves Add a Starting Pitcher This Offseason?

The Atlanta Braves rolled into the offseason with one big goal—make a good roster even better. They’ve patched up the bullpen and added some position-player depth, but there’s still this nagging feeling: is the starting rotation actually fixed for 2026?

Braves Stay Busy in the Offseason

Atlanta’s front office didn’t just sit around this winter. They made a flurry of moves, trying to keep their contending window wide open in the National League.

Early on, they focused on holding onto proven guys and shoring up weak spots. You can see the intent—they want to win now, not later.

Bullpen Reinforcement Shows Urgency

The Braves locked up Raisel Iglesias again, keeping their closer situation rock solid. Then they went out and grabbed Robert Suarez, so now Atlanta has a late-inning duo that stacks up with anybody.

Both Iglesias and Suarez can handle the pressure. It’s going to make those last few innings feel a lot shorter when the Braves have the lead.

Position-Player Depth Gets a Boost

The front office didn’t stop with pitching. They added more flexibility to the lineup and bench, which should help when injuries inevitably pop up.

The Rotation Remains the Biggest Question

Even with all those upgrades, the rotation is still this giant question mark. Injuries and unpredictability have made it tough to rely on anyone for a full season.

Injuries Expose a Thin Safety Net

Starters like Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo Lopez all missed big chunks of time. The top-end talent is there, but the lack of healthy innings pushed guys like Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, and Joey Wentz into bigger roles than expected.

When everyone’s healthy, the rotation can be lights-out. Sale and Lopez have shown flashes of being true aces, and Schwellenbach’s numbers hint at long-term steadiness.

But let’s be honest—being available is just as important as being talented at this point.

Life After Max Fried

Losing Max Fried really stings. He wasn’t just another arm; he soaked up innings and kept things steady when chaos hit.

Searching for a Reliable Replacement

Now, Atlanta doesn’t have that guy who can give them 180-plus innings without blinking. They could chase free agents like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez for instant stability, but those moves won’t come cheap.

If the front office wants to save a little cash, maybe Zac Gallen or Lucas Giolito makes more sense. Both could offer some reliability without blowing up the payroll.

Internal Options and Tough Decisions

One name inside the organization stands out—Hurston Waldrep. He made a splash with his 56 1/3 innings in 2025, and there’s a shot he could grab a rotation spot if things break right.

But is Atlanta really ready to lean on youth and upside instead of banking on proven durability? That’s the million-dollar question.

Financial Reality Shapes the Path Forward

With a projected $256 million luxury-tax payroll, the Braves face tough choices.

A blockbuster signing may be hard to justify, so the front office might lean toward trades that cost valuable prospects.

Atlanta has to weigh investing in an established starter through free agency or the trade market.

Or maybe they’ll take their chances on better health and internal development instead.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Poll: Will The Braves Add A Starter This Winter?