The Atlanta Braves have been proactive about improving their roster this offseason after suffering their first non-playoff campaign since 2017. So far, they've re-signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and closer Raisel Iglesias while also acquiring outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, reliever Robert Suarez, and utilityman Mauricio Dubon.

However, ESPN's Jorge Castillo wrote on Friday that the Braves still need starting pitching help.

"In addition to upgrading shortstop, left field and the bullpen, the Braves began the offseason intent on fortifying the starting rotation. That hasn't happened yet," he said. "Atlanta's rotation has potential with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach at the top. But each of those three pitchers missed significant time with injuries last season, Sale is entering his age-37 campaign, and the established depth behind them is light."

Sale was his usual dominant self when healthy last season, notching a 2.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 21 appearances (20 starts). Strider posted a 4.45 ERA in 23 starts, but has a 3.74 mark over 90 career outings (77 starts). Finally, Schwellenbach had a 3.09 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 17 starts.

Outside of that, Atlanta has right-handers Reynaldo Lopez and Hurtson Waldrep. Lopez made just one start last season due to a shoulder ailment, but notched a 1.99 ERA across 26 outings (25 starts in 2024). Meanwhile, Waldrep had a 2.88 ERA over 10 games (nine starts). 

Other options include AJ Smith-Shawver (3.86 ERA in 2025), who will miss the first half of 2026 after getting Tommy John surgery, Bryce Elder (5.30 ERA), Grant Holmes (3.99 ERA), and Joey Wentz (5.60 ERA).

In other words, the Braves could use stronger fourth and fifth starters, especially while Smith-Shawver recovers.

Luckily for Atlanta, there are several quality hurlers left on the open market. The big fish is southpaw Framber Valdez, who had a 3.66 ERA over 31 starts for the Houston Astros last season. The 33-year-old owns a 3.36 ERA over 188 career outings (166 starts) and has a six-year, $199.9 million ($33.3 million average annual salary) market valuation, per Spotrac.

However, the Braves are already projected to field a roster just $1.1 million under the second competitive balance tax threshold, per ESPN. Therefore, they might want to look at cheaper options, which include Jordan Montgomery, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Gilolito, and Zac Gallen. 

Gallen is a bounce-back candidate for 2026, as he had a 4.83 ERA over 33 starts in 2025, but has a 3.58 career mark over 176 starts. The veteran is worth a four-year, $74.8 million deal ($18.7 million average annual salary), per Spotrac.

If Atlanta adds another quality starting pitcher, it will complete a well-rounded offseason that puts it in a position to compete in the NL East again.