One thing that we know, for sure - the Atlanta Braves’ rotation will look VERY different. Two major faces of the rotation over the past several years, Charlie Morton and Max Fried have departed to other teams.Max Fried - New York Yankees (8-year/$218 million) and Charlie Morton - Baltimore Orioles (1-year/$15 million).
So, who’s left? Well, the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Chris Sale for starters. 2024 All-Star, Reynaldo Lopez…and rookie sensation, Spencer Schwellenbach… plus an injured Spencer Strider.
How can the Braves fill the two open slots, one being temporary until Strider’s return?We all want to know, and to have some security of the rotation going forward.
I think one will be a signing or trade acquisition. But, as for the temporary spot it will likely be a competition between AJ Smith Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Ian Anderson, Bryce Elder, Dylan Dodd, Allan Winans, Darius Vines… and who knows? Grant Holmes …
That said - I do think that the Braves need to sign someone… not for Strider’s absence. Spencer Schwellenbach and Reynaldo Lopez’s solid seasons last year really help Atlanta right now… because if Schwellenbach hadn’t broken out, we’d be circling 3 spots in the rotation that were up in the air, as opposed to two.
That said - there is one that I think has to be solved in either the trade market, or the free agent market…In the off-chance that the Braves decide to forego signing anyone to a deal, and going purely with in-house products, I think that it is possible to find two starting pitchers amidst that list I mentioned earlier… my favorites would be AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder for the time being…
The bullpen is an entirely different concern though, which gives me pause on the idea of Holmes going to the starting rotation…even temporarily.
I’ve seen a lot of chatter about, why aren’t the Braves doing much compared to the rest of Major League Baseball… and I think that’s true..
I doubt you’d want to put all of your eggs in one basket. Charlie Morton, for example just signed a $15 million deal…that would leave the Braves with just $8 million to adjust as needed.
