Braves predicted to sign $22M All-Star, AL wins leader after losing Framber Valdez to Tigers

The Atlanta Braves are essentially finished with their offseason moves heading into the 2026 season. However, if they make one more deal, it will likely be for the starting rotation. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos doesn’t just want any starter — he wants someone who thrives in October.

“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.

Last week, the Braves signed a depth option for the rotation, but it was primarily a numbers move in case the injury bug strikes again like it did last year. While it provided insurance, their eyes remain on a bigger name.

“When the Braves signed Martín Pérez to a Minor League deal on Friday, they didn’t end their pursuit of a top starter. They simply confirmed they are doing whatever is necessary to prevent what happened last year, when they literally ran out of Spring Training options,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote.

Framber Valdez was a name the Braves had interest in if his market cooled, but he ultimately signed with the Detroit Tigers. FanSided’s Christopher Kline now believes Chris Bassitt could be Atlanta’s next target.

“On the surface, the Atlanta Braves' rotation is fairly well off. Injuries have become a relentless storyline in Atlanta over the past few years, however, so the Braves know the benefit of depth better than most. Valdez is a classic workhorse, a true innings-eater who takes the mound every fifth game and generally delivers stable results,” Kline wrote. “The command was still there last season, for the most part, as was Bassitt's knack for soft, ground-ball contact. He put up a 3.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, with a functional 22.6 percent strikeout rate. He can offer Atlanta some much-needed stability — meaning availability.”

Bassitt is coming off a World Series appearance, and if the Braves can stay healthy, they have a legitimate chance to get back there. Atlanta is searching for that final reliable arm, and Bassitt fits what remains on the market.

The Braves are aiming for a much-improved 2026 campaign, with health and depth being key factors. Bassitt would at least provide a dependable, every-fifth-day presence in the rotation — something Atlanta sorely needs.

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