Braves predicted to sign $200M World Series champion workhorse, 2X All-Star to pair with Chris Sale

The Atlanta Braves didn’t have the season they envisioned in 2025, which led many to believe manager Brian Snitker would return for one final year. Instead, Snitker opted to retire, prompting the Braves to turn to longtime bench coach Walt Weiss as his replacement.

“The Atlanta Braves hired Walt Weiss as manager Monday, turning to their longtime bench coach in hopes of a turnaround after they missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Weiss, 61, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013 to 2016, going 283-365 and never finishing higher than third place. He inherits a talented Braves team that finished 76-86 and was ravaged by injuries,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

With Weiss now in charge, general manager Alex Anthopoulos entered the offseason with a clear and deliberate plan. While the Braves appear poised to add a starting pitcher, Anthopoulos has made it clear that the team isn’t interested in just any rotation arm.

“We’ve explored the starting rotation, adding and getting some type of starter, whether that’s a trade or signing. We’d like for it to be someone impactful, someone we think can start a playoff game,” Anthopoulos said.

FanSided’s Zachary Rotman believes the Braves should target World Series champion Framber Valdez to fill that role.

“This projected rotation doesn't even include guys like Elder, Grant Holmes and Joey Wentz. The Braves have a ton of quality starting pitching options, and that lessens the need for Valdez to be a Cy Young-caliber arm. As long as he can soak up innings and help most of the names above stay healthy, they'll be fine, lessening the pressure Valdez will face. With less pressure comes a higher likelihood of Valdez pitching well, which he'll especially need if he ends up signing a short-term deal (which, with the Braves, would be the probable outcome),” Rotman wrote.

Valdez is a familiar name in Braves lore, as he was the pitcher who surrendered Jorge Soler’s iconic three-run home run in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series. Now, he could find himself on the other side of that history, helping Atlanta chase another championship.

Pairing Valdez with Chris Sale would give the Braves a devastating left-handed duo. When combined with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López, Atlanta’s rotation could quickly become a nightmare for opposing lineups. Adding Valdez would elevate the Braves in multiple ways and firmly reestablish them as a World Series threat.

More MLB news: