The Atlanta Braves offseason may not have delivered fireworks just yet, but there’s been some movement worth keeping an eye on. Let’s dive into the latest chatter and see if this so-called “quiet” period is more like the calm before the storm.
First up, let’s talk about the Braves’ low-key approach to roster construction. They’ve carefully added depth through minor-league deals and shedding some extra weight. It’s a classic strategy: make sure the supporting cast is solid before looking for the show-stopping headliner.
But we all know fans are itching for something bigger than a few minor-league signings. A blockbuster move? That remains the $22-million-dollar question.
Is Jack Flaherty the Missing Piece for the Braves’ Rotation?
Now, one of the juiciest tidbits of the offseason involves MLB insider Jim Bowden is suggesting that Jack Flaherty could be the guy to shore up the Braves’ pitching staff. With Max Fried now wearing pinstripes for the Yankees and Charlie Morton likely out of the picture, there’s a gaping hole in the rotation.
Flaherty, when healthy, can bring some serious heat. In 2024, splitting time with the Tigers and Dodgers, he impressed with a 3.17 ERA and a 3.47 FIP. The potential is there, but—there’s always a but—his health history is a bit shaky.
Bowden’s not floating contract numbers, leaving it all up to those ever-important medical reports, but FanGraphs pegs a reasonable four-year, $88 million deal for Flaherty. That’s $22 million annually for a potential ace.
If his shoulder holds up, that’s a bet the Braves might just want to take. And sometimes fortune favors the bold—or, in this case, the cautious-but-willing-to-spend-once-the-docs-give-a-thumbs-up.
Spencer Strider’s Encouraging Update
But wait, there’s some good news on the homegrown front. Spencer Strider, the strikeout machine, gave an update that Braves Country was breathing a sigh of relief.
Appearing on Corey Kluber’s Casa de Klub podcast, Strider explained he avoided the dreaded Tommy John surgery and is progressing well with his recovery.
If all continues to go smoothly, we might see him throwing heat when pitchers and catchers report to North Port. And that could be the kind of mid-season boost the Braves need to keep their rotation in elite shape.
Griffin Canning Joins the Mets
Of course, not all the action is happening in Atlanta. Griffin Canning, who was part of the post-World Series shuffle, has now landed with a division rival. The Mets scooped him up on a one-year, $4.25 million deal with performance bonuses.
Canning’s time with the Braves was short and more about financial flexibility than actual pitching expectations. Now, he’s out to prove something in Queens, armed with a career 4.78 ERA and a new lease on life with the Mets.
Look, Braves fans have every right to want an impact move. It’s like waiting for that one song at a concert and hoping the encore delivers. Will it be Jack Flaherty or some other surprise guest? Only time will tell.
But with Strider on the mend, minor moves bolstering the depth chart, and whispers of a potential pitching addition, there’s still a lot of hope that Atlanta isn’t quite done yet.
