Braves Linked to Framber Valdez as Pitching Options Start to Shrink

As the Braves weigh rotation upgrades and lose depth to waivers, a top pitching prospect and strategic bullpen moves highlight a pivotal offseason.

The Braves have been active this offseason, but as the calendar creeps toward Spring Training, the starting pitching market is thinning out. Ranger Suárez, one of the more intriguing arms still available, is off the board-inking a five-year, $130 million deal with the Red Sox. That’s a big swing by Boston, and it takes a potential target off Atlanta’s list.

Still, the Braves might not be out of options just yet. There’s been growing chatter around Framber Valdez as a free agent possibility, and Freddy Peralta's name continues to surface in trade rumors.

Either move would signal a serious intent to bolster an already competitive rotation. Atlanta’s front office has shown it's not afraid to be aggressive, and if the right deal presents itself, they could still make a splash.

Of course, they could also stand pat. If the injury questions surrounding their current arms trend in the right direction, the Braves might feel confident rolling into the season with what they’ve got.

But let’s be honest-a high-end starter would be the cherry on top of what’s already been a strong offseason for Atlanta. They’ve reinforced the bullpen, added depth, and positioned themselves well for another postseason run.

One more big arm could elevate them from contender to favorite.

Around Braves Country

Some good news on the prospect front: Cam Caminiti, the Braves’ top pitching prospect, has earned top-10 recognition among left-handed starters by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. That’s no small feat. Caminiti’s rise through the system has been impressive, and while he’s still developing, there’s real excitement about what he could bring to the big league club down the line.

Elsewhere, the Braves lost some infield depth as the Twins claimed utility man Vidal Bruján off waivers. Bruján didn’t carve out a significant role in Atlanta, but his versatility could give Minnesota a useful piece off the bench.

Looking ahead, the Braves announced that pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on February 10. That means report day is likely set for February 9-mark your calendars, because baseball is just around the corner.

And a quick shoutout to the Braves’ front office: Mark Bowman recently highlighted their work in reinforcing the bullpen. It’s been a clear area of focus, and with the volatility of relief pitching in today’s game, that kind of depth can pay major dividends over a 162-game grind.

Elsewhere in the NL East

The Nationals are making a notable shift in how fans will watch their games in 2026. They’re partnering directly with MLB to handle broadcasts, stepping away from the traditional regional sports network model.

With the RSN landscape in flux, this move could be a sign of things to come across the league. For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation, but it’s a reminder that the business side of baseball is evolving just as quickly as the on-field product.

So, while the Braves may not have made their final move yet, the foundation is solid. If they do land one more big arm, watch out. This team is already built to contend-and they might not be done building.