The Atlanta Braves’ rotation remains the kind of problem that refuses to go away, and now a familiar name is emerging as a possible answer. Clay Holmes, the ex-Mets veteran and two-time All-Star, has been floated as a fit to help fortify a staff that already has Chris Sale at the top.
Atlanta won the NL East again in 2026, but the path there was bumpy, and injuries to the starting rotation were a major reason why. That uncertainty didn’t disappear once the season ended. Heading into 2027, the Braves still don’t know exactly how their rotation will take shape beyond a few obvious pieces.
“There are well-documented reasons why the Braves were in the market for a frontline starter at the Trade Deadline. Though they added a depth piece in Tyler Mahle, they didn't land the type of clear difference-maker that many fans wanted. As the team heads down the stretch, there’s now even more scrutiny on a few things: the lack of a potent 1-2 punch for the postseason, their bullpen's durability and the rotation's overall dependability,” MLB.com’s Jason Foster wrote.
That same concern carries straight into the winter. As SI’s Harrison Smajovitts put it, the rotation has been “a constant thorn in the Atlanta Braves’ side for multiple seasons now.” He added that Chris Sale is the ace, Bryce Elder is likely part of the mix, and Grant Holmes probably belongs in the conversation too, but beyond that the picture gets murky fast.
That’s where Clay Holmes enters the discussion. Sports Talk ATL’s Chase Irle pointed to him as a pitcher Atlanta should chase, noting that his year was interrupted after he was hit by a 111 mph line drive that broke his fibula.
Even with that setback, Holmes still made 18 starts between the Cubs and Mets and posted a 3.23 ERA. The year before, he put up a 3.53 ERA in 2025, his first season in a starting role since he was a rookie in 2018.
“He isn’t going to blow opponents away with his stuff, but he keeps hitters off base and really seemed to find his footing with Jeremy Hefner,” Irle wrote.
That connection matters, at least on paper. Holmes’ work with Hefner in New York could give Atlanta a better sense of how he’d fit and how much upside remains in his arm.
There is also a contract wrinkle to watch. Holmes has the option to exercise his player option with the Chicago Cubs as part of his $38 million deal, but he is widely expected to test the free-agent market.
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That search has naturally led to a familiar name with a track record of handling big moments and lefties alike, and the fit is easy to see for a club trying to sharpen every edge before another division race. The question now is whether Atlanta is content with the move it already made, or if it is willing to go bigger in the outfield than many around the team first expected. [Read more 🡒]
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Complicating matters is the clock. The Braves have a deadline before the offseason lockout begins in December, and Iglesias is expected to draw interest from multiple teams if he reaches the market. Atlanta also has to account for bullpen health concerns and the possibility that the group could need another late-inning arm sooner rather than later, which makes this more than a routine free-agent call. The decision is urgent, expensive, and likely to shape how the Braves approach the rest of the winter. [Read more 🡒]