The Atlanta Braves have been a team defined by strong starting pitching, but the 2025 season is shaping up to be pivotal for their rotation. Question marks abound while they boast names like Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach.
Strider may not be ready for Opening Day, and the others bring concerns about health, consistency, and potential. Adding to the challenge, the team lost Max Fried to the Yankees and may not retain Charlie Morton.
So far, the Braves have been hesitant to make bold moves to address these issues. High-profile pitchers like Corbin Burnes and Jack Flaherty are likely out of reach, and the team appears unwilling to spend big, as evidenced by passing on Walker Buehler’s $21.05 million one-year deal.
While Buehler comes with risks, his postseason dominance and short-term contract made him an appealing option for teams needing rotation help. If the Braves wouldn’t spring for Buehler, it’s hard to imagine them diving into the top tier of remaining free agents or engaging in blockbuster trades for an ace.
Instead, the Braves could focus on shrewd, cost-effective moves to bolster the rotation. Here are three realistic options that could stabilize their pitching staff without breaking the bank:
Jose Quintana: A Savvy, Affordable Pickup
Quintana offers experience, dependability, and postseason success. While the Mets overhauled their rotation, Quintana became expendable despite a solid 2024 campaign (3.75 ERA across 170.1 innings).
His late-season dominance and stellar playoff performance suggest he still has plenty left to offer. At 36, Quintana likely commands a modest, one-year deal—a perfect low-risk, high-reward option for Atlanta.
Charlie Morton: The Braves Steady Veteran
Morton has been a reliable workhorse for Atlanta, making 30+ starts in each of the past four seasons. His strikeout numbers may have dipped, but his durability and ability to keep games competitive make him an ideal back-end starter.
A one-year deal could provide the Braves with stability as they navigate other uncertainties in their rotation.
Erick Fedde: A Trade Target with Upside
Anthopoulos is known for for making impactful trades, and Erick Fedde could be a prime candidate. Fedde is a bargain at $7.5 million coming off a breakout 2024 season with a 3.30 ERA over 31 starts.
The Cardinals, likely open to retooling, could move Fedde, and the Braves have enough assets to make a deal happen. While Fedde’s track record is limited, his affordability and performance make him an intriguing option.
Where the Braves Stand
The Braves aren’t replacing Max Fried with any of these moves, but they can still strengthen their rotation. With mid-tier options like Quintana, Morton, or Fedde, the team can patch up holes and maintain their competitive edge in the NL East.
For Alex Anthopoulos, finding the right balance between cost and performance will be critical as Atlanta goes for another deep postseason run.
