The Braves’ rotation still has work to do, and that’s why Casey Mize has popped up as a possible offseason fit.
Atlanta already made one move for help by adding Tyler Mahle at the MLB trade deadline, but the need doesn’t go away after this season. Outside of Chris Sale, the rest of the group is full of uncertainty, with injury concerns and uneven results leaving the Braves in search of another arm.
CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa pointed to Mize as a free-agent possibility for Atlanta, along with the Orioles.
“Mize has pedigree (No. 1 overall pick in 20180, an out-pitch splitter, and the skill and willingness to pound the zone. At minimum, he's a solid No. 3 starter who can take the ball in the postseason, and there is upside for plenty more," Axisa writes. "Super early possible landing spots: Braves, Orioles."
Mize’s 3.70 ERA this season is solid, but the bigger selling point is the ceiling he still carries. Before being traded mid-season to the Padres as a member of the Tigers, he posted a 2.70 ERA, which showed just how effective he can be when things are clicking.
That kind of profile fits a Braves team that doesn’t need him to come in and carry the staff. In Atlanta, he could settle into a more manageable role and maybe unlock more of the talent that has made him such an intriguing starter.
With Mahle looking good since arriving in the mid-season deal, the Braves could have one internal answer. Even so, Mize stands out as the kind of long-term addition that would make plenty of sense if Atlanta wants more stability in the rotation next offseason.
In Other News...
Braves Outfield Uncertainty May Not Last As New Internal Options Emerge
The Braves outfield picture is still unsettled in the short term, but the organization may already have a few answers taking shape inside the system. With current roster decisions and free agency keeping the big-league mix in flux, Atlanta is looking closely at a group of younger options who could eventually factor into both the outfield and designated hitter spots.
Eric Hartman, AJ Gracia, Carter Beck and Owen Carey all got attention for the way they performed recently, and each brings a different kind of fit for the Braves to consider. The timeline is still gradual rather than immediate, but the idea that one or more of these players could push into meaningful roles over the next year and a half gives the front office something useful while the bigger-picture outfield situation remains unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Pitching Shuffle Puts Reynaldo Lopez In A Spotlight Again
The Braves continued to reshape their pitching group amid the series with the Rays, adding left-hander Bailey Falter to the major-league roster and designating right-hander Elieser Hernandez for assignment. The roster moves came alongside a more significant development for Atlantas rotation, with Reynaldo Lopez reinstated from the injured list and lined up to start the upcoming game.
Bryce Elders move to the injured list after knee surgery added another layer to the shuffle, leaving Atlanta to lean on depth it has been forced to test often. For Lopez, the return puts him back in a familiar spotlight at a time when the Braves are still sorting out how their staff fits together over the stretch ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Anthopoulos Is Running Out Of Grace With Braves Fans
Alex Anthopoulos arrived in Atlanta under difficult circumstances, taking over the Braves front office after the international signing scandal and helping steer the organization to a World Series title in 2021. For a while, that alone carried enormous weight with fans, especially as his trades and roster moves were widely praised and the club remained one of the sports steadier powers.
But the goodwill has thinned as the last few seasons have brought more frustration than payoff, from playoff disappointment to concerns about the draft and contract management. Anthopoulos still has the benefit of that championship, but the margin for error is getting smaller, and the 2026 season is shaping up as the point where his standing with Braves fans and the organization could be tested in a much more serious way. [Read more 🡒]