The Atlanta Braves are looking to turn the page after a frustrating 2025 season, and they’re not being shy about the fact that pitching is at the heart of that mission. Injuries - particularly to the starting rotation - derailed what was supposed to be a contending year. Now, the Braves are reshaping their staff and eyeing reinforcements to avoid a repeat performance.
One name that keeps surfacing in connection with Atlanta is Lucas Giolito. The 30-year-old right-hander, an All-Star in 2019, has been linked to the Braves alongside another veteran arm, Chris Bassitt.
Both pitchers fit a profile the Braves are clearly targeting: experienced, durable, and capable of anchoring a rotation that’s had its share of ups and downs. According to reports, a deal in the two-year, $40 million range might be enough to land either one.
If Giolito does come aboard, the ripple effects could be immediate. The expectation is that he would slot into the No. 4 spot in the rotation, potentially bumping Reynaldo López out of a starting role.
López, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal after a standout 2024, was limited last season due to a shoulder injury and made just one start. That could open the door for a return to the bullpen - a role he’s thrived in before - especially if Giolito or another established starter joins the fold.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that the front office is actively working the phones and scanning the free-agent market for one more arm. Speaking on 92-9 The Game, Anthopoulos made it clear they’re not just looking to add depth - they want someone who can take the ball in October.
“We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s trade or signing,” Anthopoulos said. “We’d like for it to be someone impactful, someone we think can start a playoff game.”
That’s a telling quote. The Braves aren’t just trying to survive the regular season - they’re building with October in mind.
And looking at the current rotation, the potential is there. Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López make up the core of the staff.
Sale, when healthy, still has elite stuff. Strider is a strikeout machine.
Schwellenbach brings intriguing upside. And López, if he remains in the rotation, adds another experienced arm.
The fifth spot is where things get interesting. Hurston Waldrep, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes are all in the mix. Waldrep, in particular, is a name to watch - the young righty has electric stuff and could force his way into the conversation with a strong spring.
On paper, and assuming good health (which, granted, is a big assumption given recent history), this group has the makings of a Top 10 rotation in the league. But depth is still a concern. That’s why the Braves are pushing to add one more reliable starter - someone who can take pressure off the bullpen and give them a real shot at making noise in October.
With spring training just around the corner, the clock is ticking. But one thing’s for sure: the Braves know where their weaknesses were last year, and they’re not waiting around hoping things magically improve. They’re being proactive - and if they land the right arm, they could be right back in the thick of the National League race.