The Atlanta Braves have solidified the bullpen, left field, and added a utility infielder. While they don’t HAVE to make a move for starting pitching, it seems to be the transaction we all await. Just in case you were wondering which free agent pitchers were still available, I have compiled a list of 58 free agent pitchers with some notes.
If you think you see a good value or a good fit, please share this on social media and tell everyone why your idea is just what the Braves need. Keep in mind, this is a list of available pitchers and not necessarily a suggestion as to what the Braves should do. Primarily, the guys who are projected to come with a higher price tag are listed first.
The Braves already had their hands on a quality innings-eater in Marco Gonzales. Perhaps you should give a gander to this article: Why Braves fans should be excited about Marco Gonzales’ trade to Pirates. I think if (and it’s a real “if”) the Braves plan to add more rotation depth, then it should be better than what Marco Gonzales has to offer. In saying that, I don’t disregard what Gonzales has to offer! Read that article for more information.
With all that being said, take a gander at this list and share your thoughts on who would be the best fit to put the Atlanta Braves rotation over the top in 2024!
Atlanta Braves: 58 Free Agent Starting Pitchers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Yamamoto debuted in Japan’s top league at the age of 18 and cracked the rotation two years later. The kid posted a 1.95 ERA that year and has a 1.82 ERA over seven NPB seasons. He reportedly has $300 million-plus offers on the table from the Giants and the Red Sox. He’s probably out of the Braves price range at this point.
Blake Snell – Speaking of out of the price range, Blake Snell is coming off of his second Cy Young Award-winning season. He’s projected to get around seven years, $200 million. Snell walks a lot of guys and doesn’t go deep into games (career 5.19 innings per start). He has only reached 180 innings twice in his eight-year career, winning the Cy Young both times. Outside of those two seasons, he’s never surpassed 129.1 innings pitched. He led the league in walks last season with 99 and walked five batters per nine.
Jordan Montgomery – The big lefty is coming off his best major-league season. Montgomery posted a 3.20 ERA between the Cardinals and the Rangers. He has been at his best since getting out of Yankees Stadium mid-way through the 2022 season. He pitched to a 3.11 ERA as a Cardinal to finish out the year. Entering his age-31 season, Montgomery is playing his best baseball. He’s projected to get six-years, $150 million.
Shota Imanaga – You may remember Imanaga as Japan’s starting pitcher in the World Baseball Classic final against USA. Imanaga led the NBP in strikeouts last season with 174, beating Yamamoto by five. His four percent walk rate was also better than the more expensive Yamamoto’s. Imanaga is projected for five years, $85 million.
Lucas Giolito – Giolito was one of the game’s best pitchers between 2019-2021. The last two seasons have seen his strikeout rate drop by five points since then. However, he’s still better than the average pitcher at earning swings and misses. His fastball velocity is down from his peak years and he gave up a league-worst 41 homers last season. He turns 30 in July and could be open to a short-term prove-it deal.
Marcus Stroman – Stroman opted out of a $21 million option with the Cubs in 2024. He is projected to get two years, $44 million. He probably wants three years. Adding a pitcher the caliber of Stroman on a two-year deal could be worth the price tag. Since 2019, Stroman has a 3.38 ERA. This is the type of addition that makes the rotation four studs deep.
Yariel Rodriguez – The Cuban native has been one of the most dominant relievers in Japan the past few seasons, including a 1.15 ERA last year. Rodriguez is not far removed from a starting role and he is being evaluated as a potential starter.
Mike Clevinger – Projected at two years, $26 million, Clevinger might just be an overpriced backend piece at this point.
Michael Lorenzen – Despite his magical no-hitter, Lorenzen appears to be a low-ceiling, lateral move at the back end of the rotation over what the Braves already have. Projected to get two-years, $22 million.
Sean Manaea –In the same price range as Lorenzen and Clevinger, Manaea has potential to provide an ROI. While he had his struggles with the Giants last year, he gained 2.3 mph on his fastball over the previous season. He finished the season very strong for San Francisco. Manaea was given another shot at starting to end the year. He was given four starts and posted a 2.25 ERA with an 18:2 strikeout to walk ratio.
Hyun Jin Ryu – Ryu’s market value is set at $8.1 million on Spotrac. While Ryu hasn’t been healthy the past couple of seasons, he has maintained a high level of production when he has played. He has posted a 3.27 ERA over 10 seasons. He has one of the best resumes you will find in this price range. Ryu is entering his age-37 season and could prioritize pitching for a winner.
Martin Perez – Out of 12 major-league seasons, Perez has had an ERA below 4.00 just twice. One was a real outlier in 2021 when he pitched to a 2.89 ERA over 196.1 innings. Career ERA at 4.40.
Alex Wood – This former Braves pitcher had a 3.50 ERA through the first nine years of his career. The past two have not gone as well, posting a 4.77 ERA over 228 innings. Entering his age-33 season, Wood could offer a much better value at the back end of the rotation than some of the higher-priced, low-ceiling options. Spotrac has his market value at $5.9 million.
Carlos Carrasco – Terrible last season, but one year removed from a 15-7 record with a 3.97 ERA.
Spencer Turnbull
Julio Teheran – Potential low-cost depth with sentimental value.
Trevor Bauer – Why aren’t we hearing more about this guy?
Julio Urias
Austin Voth
Jaime Barria – Barria put up a 2.61 ERA in 2022 as a reliever. He had a 5.86 ERA in 11 starts last season.
Tommy Milone – Remember when Tommy Milone logged 9.2 innings for the Braves in 2020? He has logged 39.2 since then.
James Kaprielian – 4.16 ERA between 2021-2022. Entering his age-30 season. Last year could have been a bad small sample size?
Conor Seabold
Dallas Keuchel – Played with the Braves in 2019 and followed that up with a 1.99 ERA for the White Sox in 2020. Posted a 6.29 ERA in 260.1 innings since. Entering age-36 season.
Use the comments below to let us know what the Braves next move should be! Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast.
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