Unloading this woeful contract could be Braves' key to finding a starting pitcher

Alex Anthopoulos successfully checked off many of the Atlanta Braves' biggest needs this offseason before the calendar flipped to 2026. He aggressively attacked the bullpen early in the winter, and the signings of Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias has afforded Atlanta the opportunity to shift their focus to starting pitching. In order to put the cherry on top a memorable offseason, the Braves need to add a trustworthy starter to the rotation.

With payroll well past last season's mark, Atlanta could be forced to subtract from the 26-man roster to have the flexibility needed for their starting pitching pursuit. To pull that off, trading Aaron Bummer could be the necessary move for the Braves, because it would address both roster balance and financial flexibility without significantly weakening the bullpen.

Clearing Aaron Bummer's contract allows the Braves to swing big for a starting pitcher

Bummer posted a 3.82 ERA last season, and finished the year on the 60-day injured list, so trading the entirety of his contract will be easier said than done. However, Bummer still excels in limiting hard contact, so perhaps a contending team like the Dodgers, that values his excellent groundball rate (94th percentile in GB%) can afford to throw money at an upside bullpen piece.

Because Anthopoulos had to rework Bummer's contract last winter, he is set to make $9.5 million in 2026. With the Braves facing ongoing questions in the starting rotation, freeing up salary would be more valuable than holding onto a reliever who has not clearly been trusted with a high-leverage role.

Atlanta’s bullpen already features several reliable options, making Bummer somewhat expendable. By moving his contract, the Braves could redirect resources toward acquiring a starting pitcher who can stabilize the rotation and reduce the workload on relievers over the long season. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Freddy Peralta all remain on the free agent/trade market, and an additional $9.5 million could be the difference in acquiring one of these top arms.

Even if the return for Bummer is minimal, the strategic benefit lies in flexibility this trade would create. For a contending team with championship aspirations, reallocating money from an underperforming reliever to a more pressing need could pay dividends when it matters most. The motive and gameplan for a Bummer trade has been laid out, now it is a matter of Anthopoulos figuring out a way to pull it off.