The Atlanta Braves are staring down an offseason challenge: a rotation stripped of Max Fried and Charlie Morton, who left via free agency.
It’s not exactly uncharted territory in baseball, where teams shuffle their rotations like a deck of cards every winter.
But while the Braves boast promising pitching prospects, there’s a sense of urgency to plug the gaping holes with a seasoned big-league arm.
And according to Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell, the Yankees’ Marcus Stroman might be the answer.
Is Marcus Stroman the Right Fit for the Atlanta Braves?
Here’s the backdrop: Stroman finds himself on a crowded Yankees staff that could squeeze him out of the rotation.
Enter Atlanta, a team in desperate need of innings after losing more than 320 of them with Fried and Morton’s departures.
Stroman, known for his durability, has pitched at least 135 innings in each of the past four full seasons, making him the quintessential “innings eater” Atlanta needs.
Sure, his 2024 campaign—10-9 with a 4.31 ERA and 1.468 WHIP—wasn’t dominant, but it was steady, and that’s exactly the kind of stability the Braves could use at the back end of their rotation.
The Financial Hurdle: Can Atlanta Afford Stroman?
Financially, there’s a wrinkle. Stroman’s in the second year of a 2-year, $37 million contract, with an $18.33 million vesting option for 2026. That’s a steep price for Atlanta, a team that let Morton walk to Baltimore on a 1-year, $15 million deal.
It’s unclear whether the Braves balked at Morton’s cost or simply sought a younger alternative. Adding Stroman could provide a stopgap solution, even if the price tag requires some finesse.
Historically, Stroman brings more than just innings. Across 10+ MLB seasons, he’s amassed an 87-85 record with a 3.72 ERA and two All-Star appearances (2019, 2023).
Postseason experience? Check. His last playoff appearance came in 2016, but the veteran knows the October stage.
The Braves Need Another Reliable Starter
While Stroman’s spot in the Yankees’ rotation remains uncertain, his availability opens the door for the Braves. A reliable veteran arm could make all the difference for a team aiming to compete deep into the postseason. And Stroman? He might just be the stabilizing force Atlanta needs.
