The Atlanta Braves have made it clear this offseason: they’re not content to stand pat when it comes to their starting rotation. Even with spring training just around the corner and the list of available arms shrinking, the front office continues to explore ways to bolster the staff.
They’ve already been linked to names like Freddy Peralta and were reportedly in the mix for Tatsuya Imai before he signed with the Astros. Now, another name has surfaced-Jose Berríos.
According to Braves insider Mark Bowman, Berríos is a name worth watching. And when Bowman drops a name, it’s usually not idle chatter-he tends to have a pulse on what’s actually happening behind closed doors in the Braves’ front office.
So, the interest seems real. But whether it’s the right move?
That’s a much more complicated question.
Let’s start with the contract. Berríos is under team control through 2028, but there’s a catch-he holds an opt-out after the 2026 season.
If he pitches well, he could walk away early. If he doesn’t, the Braves could be on the hook for $24 million annually in both 2027 and 2028.
That’s a hefty commitment for a pitcher whose recent trends raise a few red flags. Any potential deal would likely require the Blue Jays to eat a chunk of that contract, or for Berríos to restructure the deal entirely-possibly removing the opt-out clause to give Atlanta more cost certainty.
Then there’s the performance piece. Berríos was once viewed as a frontline starter-a durable, strike-throwing right-hander with electric stuff.
Back in 2021, he posted a 3.52 ERA with 204 strikeouts over 192 innings. That’s the guy the Blue Jays gave a long-term extension to.
But since then, the shine has dulled a bit. While he’s still been a reliable innings-eater, his strikeout rate has dipped, and his fastball velocity has followed suit-dropping from 93.9 mph in 2022 to 92.5 mph last season.
That’s not a death sentence for a pitcher, but it’s definitely a trend worth watching, especially for a team like Atlanta that values efficiency and upside.
So what would it take to get Berríos in a Braves uniform? That’s where things get interesting.
If Toronto is motivated to move him-maybe to free up payroll or recalibrate their roster-Atlanta could potentially swing a deal by taking on a portion of the contract and sending back a mid-tier prospect. Think of it like the Chris Sale trade: calculated risk, manageable cost.
But if the Blue Jays are looking for a significant return and want the Braves to absorb the full salary hit, that’s a different story. In that case, Alex Anthopoulos might be better off sticking with internal options or waiting for a better opportunity to present itself.
Bottom line: the Braves are right to keep their eyes open. Adding a veteran like Berríos could provide stability and upside if the price is right.
But this isn’t a move they should force. With a deep farm system and a front office that’s shown it knows how to pick its spots, Atlanta can afford to be patient.
If Berríos becomes a bargain, great. If not, there’s no need to overextend for a pitcher whose best days might already be behind him.