Braves predicted to sign $13M Cy Young finalist to form filthy trio with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider

Hunter Cookston

•
Braves predicted to sign $13M Cy Young finalist to form filthy trio with Chris Sale, Spencer Strider image

The Atlanta Braves are entering the 2026 season with a number of new faces on the coaching staff. Most notably, Walt Weiss is set to begin his second stint as an MLB manager, this time with the Braves. His coaching staff skews much younger, marking a clear shift in philosophy for the organization.

“The recent additions to Walt Weiss' Braves coaching staff bring a much younger dynamic than any Atlanta coaching staff in recent memory. Jeremy Hefner turns 40 in March, while Antoan Richardson is 42. Tony Mansolino and J.P. Martinez are both 43,’” Braves reporter Grant McAuley posted.

The Braves have checked off nearly every item on their offseason wish list. The one remaining need appears to be a more solidified starting rotation. Looking beyond next season, only two pitchers are currently under contract.

“Beyond Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, there are no clear locks for the Atlanta Braves rotation beyond 2026,’” HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote.

With Atlanta expected to pursue another starter, several names have surfaced. One to keep an eye on is Zac Gallen, who is set to enjoy his first stint in free agency.

“Atlanta’s starting staff fell apart physically in 2025, one major reason why a team with title hopes plummeted from 89 wins to 76," Simon writes. "There is still the makings of a strong unit here, but that’s relying on a lot of pitchers with checkered health histories and/or limited big league track records. That would figure to increase the appeal of a pitcher who has been pretty durable since becoming a big league starter midway through the 2019 season. While there were some concerning signs for Gallen in 2025, as his ERA ballooned to 4.83, he finished the year relatively strong. A move to Atlanta, which has enjoyed success in recent years in getting the most from its pitchers, could help as well,” MLB.com’s Andrew Simon wrote.

Landing Gallen would be a strong move for the Braves, especially if they believe they can help him return to peak form. He is one of the premier right-handers in the game and would pair well with Spencer Strider and Chris Sale at the top of the rotation.

Such a move would signal that Atlanta is fully committed to reclaiming the NL East for the first time in three seasons. On paper, Gallen to the Braves simply makes a lot of sense.

More MLB news:

Contributing writer

Staff Writer