The Braves have been linked to several veteran arms this offseason, but one name that kept coming up was Chris Bassitt. With Spencer Schwellenbach’s status for the year now in serious doubt, the idea of adding a durable, experienced starter like Bassitt made a lot of sense.
A plug-and-play right-hander with a steady track record? That would’ve checked a lot of boxes for Atlanta.
But that door officially closed Wednesday night. Bassitt is headed to Baltimore on a one-year, $18.5 million deal - a move that not only bolsters the Orioles' rotation but also leaves the Braves still searching for reinforcements.
Now, let’s be clear: Bassitt isn’t the flashiest name on the market. He’ll be 37 in a couple of weeks, and he’s not blowing hitters away with high-90s heat.
But what he does bring is consistency - and a lot of it. Since 2018, he’s posted a 3.58 ERA, and over the past four seasons, he’s logged more than 170 innings and 30+ starts each year.
That kind of reliability is gold in today’s game, especially for a Braves rotation that dealt with its fair share of instability in 2025.
It’s also the kind of signing that’s been right in Alex Anthopoulos’ wheelhouse in the past. Think Charlie Morton.
Think Cole Hamels. Short-term deals for proven arms who can eat innings and mentor younger pitchers.
Bassitt fit that mold perfectly - and at under $20 million for one year, it’s not a deal that breaks the bank.
There was even a personal connection that made the fit even more intriguing. Bassitt and new Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner worked together back in New York in 2022. That kind of familiarity can go a long way when a veteran joins a new staff.
But now that Bassitt is off the table, the question becomes: where do the Braves go from here?
If a one-year, $18.5 million deal wasn’t doable, it raises eyebrows about how much financial flexibility Atlanta really has left. The team’s payroll is already at an all-time high, and they’ve spent aggressively in past offseasons - not just on free agents, but on locking up their core with long-term extensions. That’s a credit to the front office and ownership for building a sustainable, competitive roster.
Still, it’s fair to ask whether the rotation has been given enough attention. Anthopoulos has built a powerhouse lineup and a deep bullpen, but the starting staff has often felt like it’s been held together with duct tape. That approach caught up to the Braves last season, and with Schwellenbach’s availability now uncertain, the depth is once again being tested before pitchers and catchers even report.
There’s still time to make a move, but the options are dwindling. Bassitt was one of the few remaining arms who offered both durability and postseason experience without requiring a long-term commitment. He’s gone now - and the Braves are still looking for answers.
If Atlanta wants to avoid another season of scrambling for innings in August and September, it’s going to take more than hoping internal options step up. The rotation needs help.
Whether that comes via trade or another free agent remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the window to add a reliable veteran like Bassitt just closed - and the Braves are still standing on the outside looking in.