Ken Rosenthal on Braves’ dilemma and current targets

According to several reports, the Braves were in on Edwin Díaz, but part of the holdup came down to the draft-pick compensation attached to him. Because Díaz rejected a qualifying offer, any team that signed him would have to forfeit its second-highest draft pick. For the Braves, that pick is far more valuable than it would be for most clubs — it’s the 26th overall selection, awarded through the PPI incentive program thanks to Drake Baldwin winning NL Rookie of the Year.

“But ultimately the Braves did not sign Díaz, in part because they are in a different position than other teams when considering free agents who rejected qualifying offers,” Rosenthal writes.

“A club that signs such a player loses at least its second-highest draft pick. The Braves’ first selection, No. 9 overall, is protected. Their second-highest, No. 26, is the Prospect Promotion Incentive choice they received for Drake Baldwin winning National League Rookie of the Year.

“The Braves value that pick, the highest second selection of any club. Right-hander Hurston Waldrep, who had a 2.88 ERA in 56 1/3 innings as a rookie last season, was the 24th overall choice in 2023. Lefty Cam Caminiti, the Braves’ No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went 24th overall in 2024. Shortstop/outfielder Tate Southisene, their No. 3 prospect, went 22nd overall in 2025.”

The idea that clubs can be punished for signing top-tier free agents is one of the dumbest rules in all of sports, especially when that punishment isn’t applied equally across the league. Alex Anthopoulos has said the Braves are willing to part with that pick for the right free agent, but when you combine the loss of a first-rounder with a record-setting $23 million AAV for a reliever, it becomes nearly impossible to justify.

If the Braves are going to sacrifice that kind of draft capital, they’re far more likely to do it for a starting pitcher or a true middle-of-the-order bat.

“If the Braves were going to sacrifice the No. 26 pick, they likely would have preferred to do it for a position player or starting pitcher rather than a reliever,” Rosenthal continues. “That still could happen. Right-handers Zac Gallen and Michael King and lefties Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez are among the remaining free agents who rejected qualifying offers. The extent of the Braves’ interest in those pitchers is unclear.”

Rosenthal also notes that the Braves are still surveying the reliever market and are considering other high-priced arms like Robert Suarez. They’re at least posturing like a club with money to spend, and with so many holes to fill, it shouldn’t be much longer before we see Anthopoulos make his first significant splash. The Braves still need to add a bat, at least one starting pitcher, multiple relievers, and — even after the acquisition of Mauricio Dubon — they could really use an upgrade at shortstop.