The Atlanta Braves have had a busy offseason to this point, but were dealt tough news before the season has eveb started with the news that Ha-Seong Kim will miss 4-5 months with a hand injury.
Injuries have plagued the Braves for the last two seasons, and GM Alex Anthopoulos has been adamant this offseason about adding another impact arm, which should be a starter. Atlanta has made ample additions to their bullpen, but it might not mean much if the rotation falters again. However, if the Braves can add one more durable starter to the current rotation, many fans and analysts would feel more comfortable with the roster heading into the upcoming season.
As of now, the Braves have two strong frontline starters in Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach. After Sale and Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider appears to be the third option, and Hurston Waldrep, Joey Wentz, and Grant Holmes follow behind Strider with hopes of having a 4th/5th option role.
Here are three starting pitchers the Braves could target this offseason to cap a busy offseason:
Lucas Giolito
Among the top available starters in free agency, Lucas Giolito is probably the fourth or fifth name on the market, but he would be a really valuable addition to the Braves. After missing all of 2024, Giolito enjoyed a nice campaign in 2025 by being able to make 25+ starts.
In 26 starts, Lucas Giolito posted an ERA of 3.41 over 145 innings and struck out 121 batters. His market value projects him to earn somewhere between a $45 million and $60 million contract over three-four years.
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Chris Bassitt
A lot of teams are being linked to Chris Bassitt, and for the right reason. Â The 36-year-old starter has made 30+ starts and posted 170+ innings in four straight seasons. This is the type of durable arm that the Braves need to ensure some stability in the rotation. As great as Sale and Schwellenbach have been when healthy, Bassitt would add another layer of depth and could firmly slot in ahead of Strider on Atlanta’s depth chart.
GettyCould the Braves end up signing Chris Bassitt?
In 2025, Bassitt posted a 3.96 ERA over 170.1 innings. His market value projects him to receive an AAV deal of around $20 million, so Atlanta could opt to sign him to a one-year deal if they pleased.
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Zack Littell
The last option, and probably the most affordable option for the Braves among this group if Zack Littell. Littell has made 61 starts over the last two seasons and posted a sub-4.00 ERA in both seasons. 2024 was really the first time Zack Littell transitioned into a full-time starter, and he’s proved his value, similar to the other two names on this list, by being able to take the ball every fifth day.
According to Spotrac, Zack Littell is projected to earn a three-year, $38 million deal. That’s a price the Braves can more realistically afford, but it would be looked at as a good signing if Atlanta ultimately did strike a deal with Littell.
Other external options the Braves might target during the last four weeks of this MLB offseason include Patrick Corbin, Justin Verlander, Chris Paddack, and Nick Martinez.
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