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The Atlanta Braves could not make a deep run in the postseason after a year filled with injuries. They could be aggressive in building their rotation this offseason in hopes of better results in 2025.
While building the Braves "dream Opening Day rotation," FanSided's Zach Pressnell predicted the team would let Charlie Morton walk and replace him with Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki.
"Charlie Morton is a bit of a wild card for Atlanta," wrote Pressnell. "He was great last season, but he's on the wrong side of 40 years old and the Braves could find better options to replace him. In a world of strict realism, Morton is probably going to be brought back unless the Braves can sway international ace (Rōki) Sasaki to their team."
Pressnell went on to explain that the Braves' dream Opening Day rotation includes Sasaki over Morton. Unlike other free agents, landing Sasaki will not be about the money. Sasaki is an amateur free agent because he is only 23 years old. That means to sign him teams will only be able to use funds from their international signing bonus pool allotment. For the 2025 window, the Braves will have $6.2 million, which is the third-highest allotment pool.
Sasaki started 18 games for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2024. He had 129 strikeouts and a 2.76 ERA during the Nippon Professional Baseball season. He has the potential to become an ace in Major League Baseball and can be signed for funds strictly from the bonus pool.
The Braves will be getting Spencer Strider back as well. He and Sasaki could be an elite duo at the top of the rotation.
More MLB: Braves predicted to reunite with $136 million starter to build 'dream' rotation
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