The Atlanta Braves have been making moves this offseason as they aim to strengthen their roster for another postseason run. While they have addressed their bullpen by adding relievers like Reynaldo López, their starting pitching depth remains a concern. The signing of López brings stability to the bullpen, but will the Braves look to move him back to the rotation? In this article, we will analyze the Braves’ offseason moves and their potential impact on the team’s pitching staff.
Reynaldo López Joins the Braves’ Bullpen
The Braves have bolstered their bullpen by signing Reynaldo López to a three-year, $30 million contract. López had a solid season in 2023, posting a 3.27 ERA and six saves over 68 appearances with the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians. His fastball, which averaged 98.2 mph, was a weapon for him, resulting in a career-best average of 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. This signing adds depth to an already strong bullpen that includes closer Raisel Iglesias and lefties A.J. Minter, Dylan Lee, and Tyler Matzek.
While the Braves have made several moves to strengthen their bullpen, their starting pitching depth remains a concern. The only clear move to address this issue was exercising a $20 million option for Charlie Morton, a 40-year-old pitcher who had a respectable 3.64 ERA last season. However, it is unclear if the Braves plan to move López back to the rotation, where he previously held a starting role with the White Sox. López had mixed results as a starter, going 21-31 with a 4.76 ERA over 81 starts. Since transitioning to the bullpen, López has found more success. It will be interesting to see how the Braves utilize López and if they will look to add more starting pitching depth.
The Braves’ Starting Rotation Options
The Braves’ current rotation is led by All-Star Spencer Strider, who had an impressive 20-5 record with a 3.86 ERA and 281 strikeouts last season. Max Fried is another key starter for the Braves, but he is heading into his final season before becoming eligible for free agency. The team also has Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, and other young prospects as potential starting candidates. While the rotation has some promising arms, adding experienced starters would provide more stability and depth.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has been active in clearing payroll space and making moves to improve the team’s chances in the coming season. The Braves have made several roster cuts and dealt away players to create flexibility to pursue additional starting pitching options. While one possible target, Aaron Nola, is no longer available after signing a long-term deal with the Phillies, there are still options on the market, including Sonny Gray. Anthopoulos’ strategy will be crucial in determining the Braves’ success in acquiring a quality starting pitcher.
The Atlanta Braves have made significant moves to strengthen their bullpen this offseason, including the signing of Reynaldo López. While López brings stability to the relief corps, the Braves’ starting pitching depth remains a concern. It remains unclear if the Braves plan to move López back to the rotation or if they will pursue additional starting pitching options. The success of the Braves’ pitching staff will heavily rely on the team’s ability to address their starting rotation needs. As the offseason progresses, Braves fans and analysts will closely watch for any further moves that could impact the team’s chances for success in the upcoming season.
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