The 2025 season is already shaping up to be a wild ride when it comes to Atlanta’s starting rotation. The Braves have a few big calls to make. Max Fried and Charlie Morton’s futures are front and center, and the decisions surrounding them will be felt throughout the entire roster. Fried’s been a rock and Morton’s the veteran, but it’s time for the Braves to decide how much longer they want to ride that train.
Spencer Strider’s locked in, there is no question about that. You’ve seen his stuff, the guy’s a human highlight reel every fifth day. But that leaves one more rotation spot up for grabs. We’ve already got Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López slated for roles. Even with all the ups and downs, Sale has been a force, and Schwellenbach and López offer intriguing options.
Despite feeling a bit thin in terms of pitching depth last season, the Braves actually have a secret stash of arms waiting to emerge. Seven of their top ten prospects are pitchers, and two of them have already tasted the big leagues. Then there is another is knocking on the door at Triple-A. This team’s farm system is loaded, and the competition for those last rotation spots is going to be fierce.
Ian Anderson is another name the Braves must consider. Remember the guy who showed out in the playoffs just a couple of years ago? Well, injuries have sidelined him for two straight seasons, and even after his rehab assignment, the Braves kept him on ice. There were no call-ups, not even when they needed depth, and there was not a whiff of him on the postseason roster when Sale went down. That’s not a good sign if you’re hoping Anderson still figures into Atlanta’s long-term plans.
Does that mean Anderson is on the way out? It’s definitely starting to look that way. The Braves might be gearing up to move him this offseason, and honestly, it could be a win-win. Anderson’s got experience with 52 career starts and a respectable 3.97 ERA across those outings.
Let’s not forget his lights-out 1.26 ERA in the postseason. That’s the kind of thing teams are always searching for. Sure, it’s been a minute since he’s shown that form, but that kind of playoff pedigree doesn’t disappear overnight. Someone’s going to take a shot at him.
So what’s next? A trade might just be the answer. The Braves have a surplus of pitching talent and not as many offensive weapons. Why not use Anderson as a trade chip to bring in a bat? It makes perfect sense. He’s got value, and it could be the move that balances out the roster for 2025.
If the Braves keep him, that’s great. Fans would love to see the playoff hero of old return to form. But if not, it’s better to move him than let him stagnate in Triple-A while Atlanta’s young guns battle for spots. Anderson’s story in Atlanta isn’t over just yet, but the next chapter should be interesting, whether it’s as a Brave or as a key piece in a trade. Buckle up, Braves Country—this rotation race is about to heat up.
