The Atlanta Braves find themselves in the middle of another busy offseason, meticulously adding to their pitching depth in preparation for the 2025 season.
Among the names drawing attention is veteran reliever Ken Giles. He is reportedly on the radar of multiple MLB teams, per insider Jon Morosi. While specific suitors remain undisclosed, the possibility of Giles rejoining the Braves organization isn’t entirely off the table.
Ken Giles has been a dominant force at times during his MLB career, perhaps best remembered for his stellar 2019 season with the Toronto Blue Jays. That year, he dazzled with a 1.87 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, 23 saves, and 83 strikeouts over 53 appearances.
Throughout his eight seasons in the Majors, he’s compiled an impressive 2.71 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 484 strikeouts in 355 1/3 innings. However, the 34-year-old has recently struggled to recapture that form, including his last MLB stint with the Seattle Mariners in 2022.
In 2024, Giles spent the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, where his performance raised questions about his future at the Major League level. Across 42 appearances, he posted a disappointing 6.28 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP, giving up nearly triple the home run rate he allowed during his big-league days.
While his strikeout ability remains intact—he fanned 58 batters in just under 39 innings—his struggles with baserunners and the long ball hindered his overall effectiveness.
Despite his underwhelming 2024 numbers, Giles made a brief impression during Spring Training, striking out five batters over three innings while allowing just one earned run. Should the Braves bring him back, it’s likely as a depth piece with the hope that he can rediscover his former dominance.
Braves Have Rounded Out Pitching Depth
The Braves have been active in fortifying their bullpen depth this offseason. In addition to recent moves for Davis Daniel, Jordan Weems, Ray Kerr, and Royber Salinas, they’ve added Wander Suero and Anderson Pilar to their mix.
They also signed Connor Gillispie to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. These acquisitions indicate the team is building a safety net of options, ensuring they’re not reliant on any single player returning to form.
Whether or not Ken Giles is part of their 2025 plans, the Braves seem prepared to enter the season with a robust bullpen roster. For Giles, a minor league deal could be the chance he needs to reignite his career.
For the Braves, it’s another low-risk, high-reward gamble in their quest for pitching depth.
