As the offseason winds down, there are still a number of rumors that the Atlanta Braves are still searching for starting pitching help. While that does raise some questions as to what is going on with all of their existing rotation arms, the fact remains that Atlanta seems to be on the hunt and looking for a starter that they can rely upon.
However, rotation arms are getting to be in short supply on the free agent and trade markets as most of the good ones already have new homes. It doesn't help that there are teams around like the Orioles who have money to spend and who also haven't yet been able to address their own starting pitching troubles.
Sure, there are some potential frontline options on the market like Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen. However, some analysis from Braves insider Mark Bowman over the weekend suggests that it feels much more likely that Atlanta goes after Chris Bassitt or Lucas Giolito.
Braves Rumors: Atlanta may be circling Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito in the final days of the offseason
Right now, there is no information that any deal is close or that the Braves are leaning in one direction or the other, but these are some familiar rumor mill names. Bassitt has been linked to the Braves at multiple points this offseason and Giolito has been more recently rumored to be a potential Atlanta target.
Where Bowman's analysis gets interesting is when it starts going through why some guys are not as likely as others. While the Braves previously said that they would be willing to lose a draft pick for signing a QO player if they were the right player for the right price. However, Bowman also indicated that the Braves' current thinking may be that Gallen or Valdez wouldn't be worth losing that kind of draft bonus pool money in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Given that the Braves just signed Martin Perez for some rotation depth, it feels like Atlanta may only make a move if prices come down a bit more. That could easily happen as players get desperate to find new teams ahead of camp, but time is running out and the Braves are going to be forced to make their choice in the coming days.