The Atlanta Braves have been aggressive this offseason, solidifying themselves as NL East contenders once again. Atlanta has signed free agents Robert Suarez, Mike Yastrzemski, and Ha-Seong Kim to contracts, and the Braves were able to retain closer Raisel Iglesias as well.
However, other teams in the division, like the Phillies and Mets, have also been aggressive in their spending this offseason. There are still lots of big names out there, but Braves’ GM Alex Anthopoulos believes Atlanta needs to make one more impactful move.
Braves’ GM Reveals Team Needs Another Impactful Starter
The Braves could go into the 2026 season feeling pretty comfortable about the way the current roster is constructed, but that would leave vulnerabilities to some parts of the team, like the starting rotation.
Here is what Alex Anthopoulos said this past week, via Audacy’s 92.9 The Game, about what else he’d like to get done this offseason:
âIt would be great if we could add someone that maybe slots everybody down a peg in our rotation, havenât closed the door on that. Still open to it if it can present itself.â
While the Braves don’t necessarily have to add a frontline starter, the starting staff dealt with a plethora of injuries last season, and that included both Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach. Spencer Strider was healthy for the whole season, but ineffective, as he seemed to carry all the pressure of reviving the rotation.
Six Braves starters spent 6+ weeks on the Injuries List in 2025, which highlights the need for another depth starter, or even an impactful, frontline arm.
Braves’ Aggressive Habits Should Be Encouraging
The aggressive habits that the Braves are showing this offseason are a very encouraging sign for the future.
After dominating the NL East for the majority of the 2020s, the Braves haven’t been the same in 2024 and 2025. 2024 saw them barely skate into the MLB playoffs, and Atlanta missed playing in October entirely this past season.
There are still several options the Braves could target this offseason to help bolster the rotation, and some names that come to mind are Tyler Mahle, Zack Littell, Lucas Giolito, and Justin Verlander.
If the Braves do add a starter in free agency, now might be the best time to think about making a trade for whatever else they feel could help the roster. Atlanta has attractive young arms and a few top prospects that might hold high trade value.
