Braves reportedly chasing free agent World Series champion starter

It's the time of year when rumors swirl around Major League Baseball, as teams evaluate needs and chase free agents to help fill roster voids.

The Atlanta Braves aren't exempt from that and have one of their most important offseason ahead of them. They must consider adding at least one starting pitcher and upgrading at shortstop or left field.

There are plenty of options available to consider and Atlanta has already been tied to a few of the top free agents on the market. Obviously, starting pitching will be the biggest priority for Atlanta as Charlie Morton and Max Fried may not return.

There are some great pitchers to choose from, but MLB insider Jon Morosi thinks the Braves have their sights set on a recent World Series champ to fill one of those voids.

In an update on MLB Network, Morosi mentioned that Atlanta is interested in adding right-hander Walker Buehler to the rotation.

Buehler is a player Braves fans should be familiar with, as he's opposed Atlanta a few times in his career. The 30-year-old has tossed 30.1 career innings against the Bravos with a 2.97 ERA. This is his first time hitting free agency, and his market is a bit mixed. Buehler finished the postseason strong with LA but had an overall rough 2024 season.

He missed all of 2023 after undergoing his second Tommy John procedure, so it was expected that he may struggle.

Buehler tossed 75.1 innings with a 5.38 ERA, 5.54 FIP, 28 walks, and 64 strikeouts. He was once regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball, but not pitching for an entire year certainly added some rust that he'll need to knock off.

Buehler has a career 3.02 ERA with 690 strikeouts through 2022, so there's plenty of reason to believe he will land with a contender. Alex Anthopoulos has long shown interest in signing players to one-year contracts to let them prove to the league they still have "it."

Most notably, the Braves signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year contract in 2020, and he's about to enter his sixth season with the team. It's a risk worth taking and gives the Braves a great option near the top of the rotation.

This all depends on Buehler's willingness to accept a deal like that. However, he's been projected to earn a two-year contract worth $32 million ahead of next season. Atlanta could structure this as a one-year guaranteed deal with an option for a second year. Even if they go with a one-year contract, $16 million is a bargain for quality starting pitching in today's game.

As with all offseason rumors, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Braves fans know all too well that AA likes to keep a tight lid on things, so stay skeptical until the team announces it. One thing fans can agree on, however, is that Walker Buehler would be an excellent addition.

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