The Atlanta Braves are heading into Spring Training with a chip on their shoulder-and not the good kind. After falling well short of the postseason last year, the team is looking to reset, refocus, and most importantly, stay healthy. But just as camp opens, that familiar concern is already rearing its head.
The Braves got an early dose of bad news with promising right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach landing on the 60-day injured list due to inflammation in his throwing elbow. The hope within the organization is that it’s just bone spurs, not something more serious, but the timing couldn’t be worse.
Schwellenbach, just 25, was expected to be a factor in the Braves’ pitching depth this season. Now, he’s on the shelf before the first bullpen session of spring.
That injury immediately sparked speculation about reinforcements, and one name stood out: Chris Bassitt. The dots were easy to connect-new Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner had previously worked with Bassitt during their time with the Mets, and the veteran starter is known for his clubhouse presence as much as his consistency on the mound. For a team looking to stabilize its rotation, Bassitt made a ton of sense.
But the Braves didn’t pull the trigger.
Instead, it was the Baltimore Orioles who stepped in and got the deal done, locking up Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million contract. That’s a big add for a Baltimore rotation that’s already made noise this offseason, bringing in Shane Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin to join a group that includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Dean Kremer.
For the O’s, it’s another step toward legitimacy. For the Braves, it’s a missed opportunity.
Bassitt wasn’t just another arm. He was arguably the most dependable starter left on the market-durable, experienced, and capable of giving you quality innings every fifth day.
Atlanta, a team that prides itself on roster depth and smart acquisitions under GM Alex Anthopoulos, now finds itself in a bit of a bind. With Schwellenbach sidelined and Bassitt off the board, the pressure is on to pivot quickly.
Names like Lucas Giolito and Zac Gallen are still floating around, and while neither comes without risk or cost, the Braves can’t afford to stand pat. The National League isn’t getting any easier, and after last season’s stumble, Atlanta needs to show it’s serious about contending again. That starts with keeping the rotation intact-and if that means making another bold move, the clock is already ticking.