The Atlanta Braves urgently need to sign a starting pitcher this offseason. While the team had a strong top rotation last season, they struggled with pitching depth, particularly in the fifth and sometimes fourth starter spots, due to injuries.
With Max Fried and Charlie Morton now leaving for other teams, the Braves must find replacements. Kerry Miller from Bleacher Report recently predicted the Braves would sign Andrew Heaney, a free agent from the Texas Rangers, to replace Morton and Fried.
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“So, who has the greatest 11th-hour need for a starting pitcher? Probably the Atlanta Braves, right? They lost Max Fried. They lost Morton,” Miller said. “We still don’t know when Spencer Strider will return. And even once Strider is back, either Ian Anderson or Grant Holmes will likely be the fifth starter.
Considering they’re relying on Chris Sale and Reynaldo López to stay healthy, it’s concerning that they haven’t addressed their pitching needs yet this winter. But if they can sign Heaney for a deal like 2 years, $19 million, it would solve their problem without exceeding the luxury-tax threshold.”
While Heaney may not be as talented as Fried, he’s a definite improvement over Atlanta’s current options. Last season, the left-hander made 31 starts with a 4.28 ERA. His FIP of 4.04 and WHIP of 1.25 suggest he performed better than his ERA indicates. At 33 years old, he’s expected to have a solid 2025 season.
