Despite having a quiet offseason, the Atlanta Braves are still interested in bolstering their starting rotation.
Atlanta has a starting rotation headlined by Cy Young winner Chris Sale and All-Star Spencer Strider, but with both players’ injury history, it makes sense that the team wants to add more depth to the rotation. Though most of the top available arms in free agency have already found a new home, there are still a few intriguing hurlers that the Braves could pursue.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that one pitcher that the Braves are interested in is 36-year-old Toronto Blue Jays free agent Chris Bassitt.
“The Braves are in on Bassitt. They’re looking in that area for a starter,” Heyman said in a video posted to YouTube by MLB Network on Wednesday, adding that Bassitt is an “excellent, excellent starter.”
Bassitt has been one of the most durable and consistent pitchers in baseball despite his age, making 30 or more starts in each of the past four seasons. The 36-year-old hurler posted a 3.96 ERA this season with 166 strikeouts in 170 1/3 innings pitched, but is likely to leave Toronto with all of the new additions the Blue Jays made to their starting rotation this offseason.
Despite ranking in the lower third of the league with a 4.48 team ERA, the Braves have done little to improve their starting rotation. Bassitt may be a slightly pricey option, but his consistency would be a great asset for Atlanta next season.
More MLB: Blue Jays Likely Won’t Pursue Three-Time Batting Champion: Insider