Before the offseason even really started, the Atlanta Braves declared that adding starting pitching was going to be a big priority this offseason. The Braves have a number of roster holes they need to fill, but it is hard to argue with the idea that Atlanta's injury beleaguered rotation needs some depth and reinforcement heading into what is a critical 2025 season. However, that quest could prove to be more difficult than you would think this offseason.
There isn't a shortage of free agent options available at multiple price points. At the top of the market, you have Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Ranger Suarez leading the way. After that, you have the next tier who are more innings eaters or come with more questions like Zac Gallen, Shane Bieber, and Chris Bassitt among others. If you are wanting veterans that will likely get one year deals to bridge the gap, guys like Jose Quintana and Justin Verlander fill that niche as well.
However, where the trouble for the starting pitching market comes with the trade market. Again, there are options of varying degrees of quality which you would think would help the Braves out. However, some key names on the trade market are unlikely to be moved quickly (if at all) and that could have an undesirable domino effect on the entire rotation market.
Top rotation trade targets could easily freeze the starting pitching market and complicate the Braves' search for depth
A few arms stand out in this discussion. It feels like Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara has been available in trades forever, but Miami has not moved him and are at least acting publicly that they aren't in a hurry to do so. Joe Ryan has the type of stuff that could profile as a frontline starter and the Twins appear to be tearing things down, but the Twins know they have a golden ticket with him and would welcome a lengthy bidding war. The Cardinals' Sonny Gray and Brewers' are similar stories: teams that want to be decent in 2026, but who could potentially be convinced to trade them for a good price.
See the problem? If you are a free agent starting pitcher, what incentive do you have to sign a deal when the supply of arms is at it's highest and teams are the least desperate they are going to be all offseason. On the flip side, you have the teams that need pitching (which is pretty much all of them) that don't want to blink first and set the market only to miss out on better deals later.
The end result is a recipe for a frozen market for the Braves to navigate. Alex Anthopoulos is as good as any executive in baseball at maneuvering in difficult markets, but this is going to be a real test. The front office can occupy themselves elsewhere like canvasing for a shortstop and rebuilding the bullpen. At some point though, the Braves are going to have to reckon with what could be a very messy starting pitching market this offseason.