Braves reportedly eyeing pair of veteran pitchers

Although the Atlanta Braves have been active this offseason, their starting rotation remains untouched. That may change in the coming days.

According to Jon Heyman from MLB Network, the Braves are looking to address the rotation. Heyman listed Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito specifically as two pitchers that the Braves are interested in.

On paper, the Braves have one of the better rotations in baseball. Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez and Hurston Waldrep are an impressive quintet that any team would covet. Bryce Elder, Didier Fuentes, Grant Holmes and Joey Wentz give the Braves plenty of depth. Adding a starting pitcher would seemingly be low on their list of priorities.

Atlanta Braves have impressive rotation depth but questionable health

The Braves cannot count on their rotation remaining healthy. Sale, Schwellenbach and Lopez missed considerable time in 2025, with Lopez making just one start. Strider was not himself as he returned from elbow surgery. Waldrep was impressive but made just 10 appearances in the majors. There are plenty of question marks.

Either Bassitt or Giolito would help those concerns. Bassitt has made at least 30 starts in each of the past four seasons with at least 170.1 innings each year. He posted a 3.96 ERA and a 1.327 WHiP over his 170.1 innings in 2025, striking out 166 batters with 52 walks. Giolito missed the end of the season due to elbow irritation, but is completely healthy heading into 2026. He posted a 3.46 ERA and a 1.290 WHiP over his 145 innings last year, striking out 121 batters with 56 walks.

The Braves have an enviable rotation and plenty of depth, albeit with questionable health. Adding either Bassitt or Giolito would help mitigate that concern.