The Braves were specifically linked to Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito as targets for their starting pitching search, which apparently remains active at this stage of the offseason. While those aren’t attractive options, they likely wouldn’t require eye-watering contracts and would preserve the Braves’ 2026 draft capital, compared to Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen. Bassitt has been fairly durable and consistent in the ~2.5 fWAR per season range (regular length) for seven seasons, but he hasn’t peaked much higher than that and will hit 37 this season. Giolito peaked higher than Bassitt from 2019-2021, but hasn’t been the same pitcher since. That said, he posted a solid starting year in 2025, albeit with a greatly diminished strikeout count. Either would be solid depth options, but wouldn’t bring much upside beyond that, although Giolito is only 31 years old, so perhaps a revival could still be in the cards for him.
Braves News
The Braves’ interest in adding starting pitchers was reiterated, even at this stage of the offseason, by Jon Heyman, listing Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito as potential options.
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MLB News
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