As MLB enters its rumor-filled offseason, teams are strategizing to address roster gaps and sign top free agents. For the Atlanta Braves, this offseason is critical as they explore bolstering their starting rotation and addressing needs at shortstop or left field.
Starting pitching tops Atlanta’s priority list, especially with uncertainty surrounding the returns of Charlie Morton and Max Fried. Among the many options available, MLB insider Jon Morosi reports the Braves are targeting former World Series champion Walker Buehler to enhance their rotation.
Buehler, a name familiar to Braves fans, has performed well against Atlanta, posting a 2.97 ERA over 30.1 innings in his career. However, the 30-year-old right-hander is coming off a mixed 2024 season after returning from his second Tommy John surgery. While his postseason resurgence with the Dodgers showed promise, his regular season numbers—75.1 innings pitched with a 5.38 ERA and 64 strikeouts—reflect the challenges of returning after a year-long absence.
Despite these hurdles, Buehler’s career numbers, including a 3.02 ERA and 690 strikeouts through 2022, showcase his potential to return to elite form. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known for crafting smart, short-term deals that allow players to prove their worth, as seen with Marcell Ozuna’s one-year deal in 2020, which turned into a long-term stay.
Buehler’s projected market value suggests a two-year, $32 million deal, but Atlanta might consider a one-year contract with a second-year option, giving both sides flexibility. Even at $16 million for a single year, such a deal would be a steal for a potential ace.
While nothing is set in stone, and Anthopoulos is known for operating under the radar, fans can agree that Walker Buehler would be a game-changing addition to Atlanta’s rotation as they aim for another championship run.
