Among the Atlanta Braves storylines from the 2026 season, Didier Fuentes and Ray Kerr rank among the absolute best. Fuentes entered the season as a candidate for the Braves' rotation, but he quickly became one of the league's best relievers and even received some down-ballot Rookie of the Year love. Kerr didn't really emerge until the playoffs, but he was the unquestioned star of Atlanta's postseason run this year. Now, the fates of both pitchers could dictate the strategy the Braves employ this offseason.
There has been some rallying around the idea that the Braves' biggest offseason need is a right-handed bat, but everyone agrees the Braves’ rotation depth remains a deep concern. Even if Atlanta re-signs Tyler Mahle, confidence that the Braves' current starting-pitching alignment is good enough for 2027 is not high.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean we could see the Braves add several starting options this offseason. In fact, if we hear from Alex Anthopoulos and/or other Braves officials about Kerr and/or Fuentes being rotation options, it could be a massive signal that Atlanta doesn't intend to go wild in the pitching market this offseason.
Braves' plans for Ray Kerr and Didier Fuentes will be the biggest clue as to their intentions in the pitching market this offseason
Throughout Anthopoulos' tenure running the Braves, he has often provided clues when the team is considering a less-conventional and/or unpopular decision. Everyone thought Atlanta needed more rotation help last offseason, but we kept hearing from the team about their confidence in Bryce Elder, Reynaldo Lopez, and Grant Holmes. Ultimately, the team only made moves on the fringes of their rotation. When Dansby Swanson left, there were whispers regarding Orlando Arcia being a viable shortstop option, but no one believed it until it actually happened.
We have known the Braves still see Fuentes as a starter in the long term, although they have remained noncommittal to moving him back to the rotation in 2027. Kerr has seen less discourse around his future role so far, but it is hard to deny that the Braves clearly trusted him in a length role when their 2026 season was on the line (and rightly so).
That is what makes the Braves' next steps so interesting. Based on history, Anthopoulos will likely telegraph his intentions in his own cryptic way. We will hear from the front office soon, and that may happen as soon as this week at the GM meetings. If AA comes out and talks about Fuentes and Kerr (or any other internal options, for that matter) as rotation options, that may tell us the Braves don't plan to make the splash in the pitching market some think they must make.
However, that doesn't mean the Braves will ignore the problem. Many still believe that Atlanta will bring back Mahle, and the annual Sonny Gray rumors around the Braves are back in full force. Those moves could still happen, but exactly how aggressive the front office is may depend on how much faith they have in internal options. We would all be foolish to ignore that signal, even if it needed to be taken with a grain of salt.
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