The Braves entered the offseason with a clear need: bolster the starting rotation with a playoff-caliber arm. And while GM Alex Anthopoulos talked the talk, the front office largely stood pat, signaling they were comfortable rolling into 2026 with what they had. But after yet another setback - this time Hurston Waldrep being sidelined with loose bodies in his elbow - that comfort zone is quickly evaporating.
Now, with Opening Day just over a month away, the Braves’ rotation depth is looking more like a liability than a luxury. And the clock is ticking.
The market for starting pitching isn't just thin - it’s nearly bone dry. Most teams, even the ones rebuilding, are reluctant to deal away arms this close to the season unless they’re blown away by an offer.
And with Atlanta’s growing desperation becoming common knowledge around the league, their leverage is shrinking by the day.
This is exactly why front offices prefer to get their heavy lifting done between November and January. The Braves gambled on internal options holding up.
That bet hasn’t aged well. Now, the question is whether Anthopoulos is ready to pay the premium it’ll take to land a difference-maker before the season begins - or risk watching another promising year slip away because the rotation couldn’t hold up.
Sandy Alcantara: The High-End Gamble
Let’s start with the biggest name that’s been floating around: Sandy Alcantara. The Marlins already moved Edward Cabrera earlier this offseason, and while they haven’t officially hit the reset button, they’re clearly open for business.
But Alcantara isn’t a guy they’re going to move just to make a deal. Not when he finished last season on a tear - a 3.33 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in the second half - and not when he’s under team control through 2027.
That contract gives Miami options. They can afford to wait and let Alcantara boost his value even further with a strong first half.
If that happens, they’ll be in position to demand a massive return at the deadline. It’s a calculated risk, of course - if Alcantara struggles, they might not get the haul they want in July.
But right now, all signs point to the Marlins holding firm unless someone meets their steep asking price.
For the Braves, Alcantara would be a dream fit - a true frontline starter with postseason experience and elite stuff. But prying him loose now would likely require parting with multiple top-tier prospects, and maybe even a young big leaguer. That’s a tough pill to swallow, even for a team in Atlanta’s position.
Joe Ryan and Pablo López: Minnesota's Untapped Trade Chips
Then there’s Minnesota, a team that looked poised to tear things down after last year’s deadline moves - but hasn’t followed through. Despite speculation, the Twins have held onto their remaining stars, including two pitchers who would instantly upgrade Atlanta’s rotation: Joe Ryan and Pablo López.
Ryan, 29, is coming off a breakout season. He posted a 3.42 ERA across 170 innings and earned his first All-Star nod.
He’s set to make $6.2 million this year and carries a $13 million mutual option for 2027 - one he’ll likely decline if he stays healthy and productive. With Minnesota not expected to contend in 2026 and unlikely to extend Ryan long-term, it’s puzzling they haven’t made him available.
But so far, they’ve been firm in their stance.
Pablo López is another name Braves fans should know well. He spent his first five seasons with the Marlins and has quietly built a reputation as a dependable, playoff-tested starter. He’s not an ace, but he’s the kind of guy you trust in October - and his postseason numbers back that up: a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings in three playoff starts.
López is under contract for two more seasons at a total of $43.5 million - a reasonable price for a mid-rotation arm with October experience. He may not be the flashiest option, but he fits the mold of what the Braves need: someone who can take the ball in a big game and give you a chance to win.
Where the Braves Go From Here
The options are limited, the prices are high, and the urgency is real. The Braves are facing a critical decision point.
Do they stay the course and hope internal arms hold up? Or do they make the bold move now - before the season starts - to secure the kind of rotation help that can carry them deep into October?
Anthopoulos has built a reputation as a shrewd operator who doesn’t panic. But with Waldrep’s injury exposing the fragility of the current rotation, this might be the moment to get aggressive.
Because if Atlanta wants to be more than a regular-season powerhouse - if they want to be a true World Series threat - they’re going to need more than just hope behind their frontline starters. They’re going to need reinforcements.