The Braves remain active in the offseason market, particularly targeting starting pitchers like Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito. While these pitchers might not be the most exciting names available, they present a more budget-friendly alternative compared to options like Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen, and they help the Braves protect their 2026 draft picks. Over the past seven seasons, Bassitt has proven to be reliable, consistently delivering around 2.5 fWAR per full season, though he hasn’t demonstrated a significantly higher ceiling. At 37 years old, his peak performance years may be behind him. Giolito, 31, showed a higher level of play from 2019 to 2021 but has struggled to regain that form, finishing 2025 as a dependable back-end starter despite a noticeable decline in strikeout numbers. Both pitchers are seen as solid depth additions, with limited upside—though Giolito might still have room to rebound given his relatively younger age.
According to manager Jon Heyman, the Braves continue to prioritize adding a starting pitcher this offseason, highlighting Bassitt and Giolito as possible candidates.
In other MLB news, the Twins and Rockies completed a small trade that involved three players and cash considerations. Additionally, the Rockies sent a reliever to the Yankees to serve as a backup pitcher. On the prospects front, Owen Murphy made it onto ESPN’s Kyrie McDaniel’s list of prospects ranked between 101 and 200.
Fan Take:
This Braves news is significant because it underscores how teams are balancing cost-efficiency with competitive goals during the offseason. Opting for reliable, if not flashy, pitchers like Bassitt and Giolito shows a strategic focus on sustainable team building and draft capital preservation, which could influence how other franchises approach roster construction in the coming years.
