It looks like the Atlanta Braves front office might be closing up shop on major roster moves this offseason. That’s right—Jurickson Profar might be it.
Not exactly the blockbuster addition some were hoping for, but before you start throwing your tomahawks in frustration, there’s actually a pretty compelling reason behind it.
The Braves Are Betting on a Healthy Spencer Strider
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is feeling “increasingly confident” about the return of star pitcher Spencer Strider early in the season.
And if you’re wondering if this is just some overly optimistic spring training talk, Morosi assures us that Strider is hitting every key milestone in his recovery.
He’s not ahead of schedule but right on track. Basically, it’s as good of an update as you could ask for, given the circumstances.
This matters a lot because the Braves are structuring their rotation under the assumption that Strider will be available to take Max Fried’s spot.
Meanwhile, with Charlie Morton’s departure, the next men up appear to be Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes, both set to compete for that final spot in the rotation.
Strider is expected to slide right into his usual role once he’s fully ramped up, but until then, Holmes will likely be holding things down in his place.
Will the Braves Still Add Another Starter?
So, does this mean the Braves won’t be adding another starter? Not necessarily, but don’t hold your breath.
The team has made it clear they aren’t looking to bring in a middle-tier option that could block Ian Anderson or Holmes—if a move happens, it’s got to be big enough to justify shifting the current plan.
And with names like Max Scherzer and Jack Flaherty already off the board, the likelihood of that happening is getting slimmer by the day.
As it stands, the Braves projected rotation includes a mix of seasoned veterans and high-upside young arms:
Chris Sale (2024 Cy Young Winner, All-Star), Reynaldo López (2024 All-Star), Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider (2023 All-Star), Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes, AJ Smith-Shawver (No. 2 Braves Prospect, 2024), Hurston Waldrep (No. 3 Braves Prospect, 2024), Bryce Elder (2023 All-Star)
Everyone on that list—except for Anderson—started at least one game for Atlanta in 2024, so there’s at least some level of major-league experience across the board.
What to Expect from Strider in 2025
And if you’re into projections, FanGraphs has Strider pegged for a very solid return in 2025: a 3.19 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 158 strikeouts over 119 innings. Those aren’t numbers to scoff at.
So, while this offseason might not have featured a headline-grabbing pitching acquisition, the Braves seem comfortable betting on their in-house talent.
And with a rotation that, on paper, has the potential to be one of the best in the NL, that might not be the worst gamble to take.
