Regarding the Atlanta Braves’ offseason priorities, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the rotation is the elephant in the room, and no one seems to be talking about it enough.
Sure, Braves fans are buzzing with optimism over a potentially resurgent offense, especially with Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies expected to return at full strength in 2025.
But the harsh reality is that the pitching staff—more specifically, the starting rotation—carries some significant risks that could derail Atlanta’s postseason aspirations.
CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa made a compelling case about why the Braves are one of the teams most in need of an ace like Corbin Burnes. Yet, in the same breath, he admitted that Atlanta landing the 2021 Cy Young winner is highly unlikely. Still, Axisa’s observations shine a spotlight on a potential issue the Braves can’t afford to ignore.
Why the Braves Rotation Is on Shaky Ground
Atlanta’s starting rotation had a strong 2024, with Chris Sale and Reynaldo López turning in career-defining performances. Sale led the league in ERA at age 35, and López’s 1.99 ERA at age 30 was a revelation.
But here’s the catch: how sustainable is this success? Sale will turn 36 in 2025, and his injury history looms large. López, meanwhile, has to prove that his breakout season wasn’t just a one-off.
To make matters worse, the Braves have lost Max Fried to free agency and seem unlikely to re-sign Charlie Morton. Fried, a two-time All-Star, leaves behind a massive void at the top of the rotation.
While Burnes could fill—and arguably upgrade—that gap, the Braves front office doesn’t seem poised to make that kind of splash.
The Braves also face regression risks with younger pitchers. Spencer Schwellenbach, for example, nearly tripled his innings workload in 2024, which raises durability concerns heading into 2025.
And while Spencer Strider’s return from UCL surgery is a plus, there’s no guarantee he’ll immediately regain his dominant form.
Burnes Would Be the Ideal Fix
Burnes, who has averaged nearly 200 innings a year over the past three seasons, offers the kind of reliability and effectiveness Atlanta desperately needs.
His 2024 campaign—15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts—demonstrated once again why he’s one of the league’s premier arms. A four-time All-Star and proven workhorse, Burnes could stabilize a rotation that’s facing more questions than answers.
But as Axisa points out, expecting the Braves to land Burnes is wishful thinking. If Atlanta isn’t willing to spend big on a pitcher of his caliber, they’ll need to explore other options to shore up their rotation. Because one thing is certain: standing pat isn’t an option if the Braves want to remain competitive in a loaded National League.
The Bottom Line
Axisa’s takeaway is spot on. Atlanta can’t afford to ignore its pitching needs this offseason. Whether it’s Burnes or another high-caliber arm, the Braves must act decisively to avoid a potential backslide in 2025.
The offense may bounce back, but without a reinforced rotation, the path to another 90-win season—and beyond—becomes far murkier.
