With Zac Gallen officially off the board on a one-year deal, the free agent market just got a little more interesting-especially for teams still hunting for rotation help. And one team that fits that bill perfectly? The Atlanta Braves.
After a disappointing 76-86 finish in 2025-marking their first missed postseason since 2017-the Braves have made it clear they’re not sitting still. The front office came out swinging this offseason, adding depth and versatility across the roster: Robert Suarez to bolster the bullpen, Mike Yastrzemski and Mauricio Dubon to add utility and outfield flexibility, Martin Perez for back-of-the-rotation innings, and Jorge Mateo to inject speed and defense. They also re-signed key pieces in Ha-Seong Kim and Raisel Iglesias.
But even with all that movement, one glaring need remains: a dependable starting pitcher who can anchor the rotation.
Enter Lucas Giolito.
With Gallen now signed, Giolito becomes arguably the best remaining arm on the market-and one that could make a lot of sense for Atlanta. The Braves were reportedly in the mix for Gallen, but Giolito offers a compelling alternative.
He’s coming off a solid 2025 campaign with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts. He’s not the overpowering strikeout artist he once was-some of that due to recovery from UCL surgery-but he’s still a reliable, mid-rotation presence who can give you quality innings every fifth day.
And here’s the kicker: Giolito wouldn’t come with the qualifying offer penalty that Gallen carried. That makes him not only more affordable but also a cleaner fit for a Braves team looking to stay competitive without sacrificing future assets.
If Atlanta pulls the trigger, Giolito could slide into a rotation that’s been searching for consistency. Injuries and underperformance plagued the Braves’ starting staff last season, and while they’ve added some arms, they’re still missing that stabilizing presence behind their top guys. Giolito may not be an ace in 2026, but he’s the kind of pitcher who can help solidify a playoff-caliber rotation-especially for a team that expects to be back in October.
Of course, Atlanta’s not the only team with eyes on the remaining free agent arms. The Chicago Cubs are another club worth watching.
On paper, their rotation looks solid, but dig a little deeper and there are questions. Edward Cabrera and Cade Horton both come with health concerns, Justin Steele is working his way back from injury, and there’s pressure on Shōta Imanaga and Matthew Boyd to hold the line.
So the Cubs have a decision to make-do they roll the dice with internal options, or do they make one more move to shore up the staff?
Giolito is the headliner, but he’s not the only name out there. Veterans like Max Scherzer, Frankie Montas, and Tyler Anderson are still available. They may not be the game-changers they once were, but they’re proven innings eaters-guys who can keep you in games and take pressure off the bullpen.
Still, if you’re looking for upside and recent production, Giolito is the guy. And for a Braves team trying to bounce back from a rare down year, he might just be the missing piece.