The Braves have wasted no time this offseason - and with a week still left before Christmas, they’ve already checked off a lot of boxes. The bullpen?
Reinforced with not one, but two All-Star-caliber closers. Shortstop?
Handled, thanks to the re-signing of Ha-Seong Kim. And the depth across the roster?
Noticeably stronger after the additions of Mauricio Dubón and Mike Yastrzemski.
Atlanta has built a roster that could take the field on Opening Day and feel confident about its chances to reclaim the NL East. But let’s be clear: this isn’t a team that’s spending $260 million on payroll just to win a division title. The Braves have their eyes on something bigger - a deep postseason run, and ideally, another World Series banner.
And there’s one more box that hasn’t been checked yet: starting pitching.
Now, the rotation isn’t in bad shape. Several key arms are returning from injury, and the internal options offer solid depth. But as President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos recently shared in an interview with Dukes and Bell on 92.9 The Game, the Braves are still looking to make one more move - not just any starter, but someone who can take the ball in October.
“We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s trade or signing,” Anthopoulos said. “We’d like for it to be someone impactful, someone we think can start a playoff game.”
That’s the key. This isn’t about filling out the back end of the rotation with an innings-eater.
The Braves already have that covered with guys like Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder, not to mention promising young arms like Hurston Waldrep and JR Ritchie waiting in the wings. What they’re targeting is a difference-maker - someone who can elevate the rotation and shift the hierarchy.
“It would be great if we could add someone that maybe slots everybody down a peg in our rotation,” Anthopoulos added. “Haven’t closed the door on that. Still open to it if it can present itself.”
That kind of move would offer more than just a talent upgrade. It would unlock flexibility across the pitching staff.
If a proven starter comes in, it opens the door for someone like Reynaldo López - who’s transitioning back to a starting role - to slide into the bullpen if needed. The same goes for Holmes, who’s working his way back from a UCL injury.
That kind of versatility could help the Braves reinforce the bullpen from within, without needing to chase more arms on the open market.
And given how aggressive the Braves have already been this offseason, it’s fair to think they’re not done. They’ve shown a clear willingness to spend, and with most of their core needs already addressed, they’re in a position to pivot toward the trade market. That’s where things get interesting.
Atlanta’s farm system is stacked with young, controllable arms - the kind of trade chips that could bring back a legitimate playoff-caliber starter. Anthopoulos has never been shy about pulling the trigger when the right deal presents itself, and with the offseason heating up, Braves fans should be keeping a close eye on the rumor mill.
Bottom line: the Braves are built to win now, and they know it. One more big swing - especially on the mound - could be the final piece in a roster that’s already looking like one of the most complete in baseball.