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The Atlanta Braves have been active across much of the roster this offseason, but one area has remained notably untouched as January winds down: the starting rotation.
Atlanta has added experience in the bullpen, infield, and outfield through a mix of trades and free agency. Despite all that movement, the rotation has stayed exactly as it was—a decision that now appears to be under reconsideration.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Braves are exploring the market for a rotation upgrade and have interest in free-agent right-hander Lucas Giolito. Atlanta has also been connected to Chris Bassitt, but Giolito has emerged as a particularly intriguing option given his age, recent rebound, and upside.
Why Giolito Fits Atlanta’s Current Rotation Puzzle
Giolito’s recent track record makes him a logical target for a team balancing upside with risk management. After missing the entire 2024 season due to a UCL procedure, the 31-year-old returned in 2025 and made 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox. The surface numbers told two different stories. He struggled early, posting a 6.42 ERA through his first seven starts, but settled in dramatically over the remainder of the season.
Over his final 19 starts, Giolito pitched to a 2.51 ERA across more than 111 innings, stabilizing Boston’s rotation and doing enough to convert his club option into a mutual option—one he declined in favor of re-entering free agency. While advanced metrics painted a more conservative picture of that stretch, Giolito still showed he could function as a dependable mid-rotation arm at a minimum.
Health remains the central question. Giolito missed Boston’s postseason run after September testing revealed flexor tendon irritation and a bone issue in his elbow. By November, however, he was considered fully healthy and cleared for a normal offseason. His fastball velocity returned to career norms, suggesting the surgery did not permanently sap his stuff.
For the Braves, that profile carries appeal. Atlanta doesn’t necessarily need a staff ace. What it needs is insulation.
Atlanta’s Depth Makes a Calculated Bet Sensible
On paper, the Braves’ rotation still looks formidable. Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo López, and Hurston Waldrep form a high-ceiling group when healthy. In practice, that “when” looms large.
Sale remains productive but has a lengthy injury history. Strider showed diminished effectiveness in his first full season back from elbow surgery. Schwellenbach and López both missed significant time with fractures and shoulder issues, respectively. Waldrep flashed promise but remains largely untested at the major league level.
That context explains Atlanta’s interest in a veteran stabilizer. Giolito would not need to carry the rotation, but he could absorb innings, smooth over injury-related disruptions, and give the Braves flexibility over a long season.
There’s also a financial component working in Atlanta’s favor. Giolito did not receive a qualifying offer, meaning the Braves would not sacrifice draft capital to sign him. While Atlanta is projected to sit over the luxury tax threshold, the penalty for adding one veteran starter would remain manageable, especially given that the team was not a tax payer in 2025.
Giolito’s career arc adds another layer of intrigue. After early struggles, he emerged as a frontline starter with the Chicago White Sox from 2019 to 2021, piling up strikeouts and durability. Even accounting for the volatility since then, his career ERA drops to a clean 4.00 when removing his earliest seasons—a reminder that there may still be more in the tank.
Atlanta doesn’t need to rush a decision, but the interest itself speaks volumes. As spring training approaches, the Braves appear increasingly aware that depth—not just talent—could define their season. If Giolito’s medicals and price align, he could represent a low-risk way to strengthen a rotation built to contend, but still searching for certainty.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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