The Atlanta Braves are in dire need of a starting pitcher this offseason. Despite having a talented rotation last year, they struggled with depth, particularly in the fourth and fifth spots due to injuries.
Now, with Max Fried and Charlie Morton departing for new contracts elsewhere, Atlanta must find a replacement to fill the void.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently predicted that the Braves could sign Texas Rangers free agent Andrew Heaney to address their rotation concerns.
“So, who has the biggest last-minute need for a starting pitcher? Probably the Atlanta Braves, right?” Miller wrote. “They lost Max Fried. They lost Morton. Spencer Strider’s return timeline remains uncertain. As of now, even when Strider is back, they’d still be relying on Ian Anderson or Grant Holmes as their fifth starter.
“Considering they’re also counting on Chris Sale and Reynaldo López staying healthy, it’s concerning that they haven’t addressed their pitching staff this offseason. But if they bring in Heaney on a deal like two years, $19 million, they could fix the issue without exceeding the luxury tax threshold.”
While Heaney isn’t on the same level as Fried, he would still be an upgrade for Atlanta’s current rotation. The left-hander made 31 starts last season, posting a 4.28 ERA, with a 4.04 FIP and a 1.25 WHIP—indicating he may have pitched better than his ERA suggests. At 33, he’s poised for a solid 2025 campaign.
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