Braves expected to heavily pursue 3.88 ERA starting pitcher

Matt Sullivan

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Braves expected to heavily pursue 3.88 ERA starting pitcher image

The Atlanta Braves are heading into what's shaping up to be a busy offseason. While the Braves have plenty of talent, three areas of the roster need improvement.

Atlanta needs to find a shortstop and multiple bullpen arms, but the biggest need might be in the starting rotation.

According to USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, there is one starting pitcher he expects the Braves to "heavily pursue" this winter. That pitcher is Dylan Cease.

Braves expected to heavily pursue veteran starting pitcher in free agency

"Cease is expected to be heavily pursued by the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta." Nightengale writes.

This report from Nightengale is a noteworthy one, as the Braves are set to compete with the Cubs in their pursuit of veteran starting pitcher Dylan Cease.

But it's not a simple interest; Nightengale's report indicates that the Braves and Cubs will be strongly going after Cease.

The seven-year veteran has pitched for the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres. In his career, he has a 3.88 ERA across 188 starts.

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He's coming off a down 2025 season, however, where he had a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts with an 8-12 record,215 strikeouts, and 71 walks across 168 innings pitched.

Cease still has great strikeout ability, but his 21 home runs allowed and 1.327 WHIP were some of the highest marks of his MLB career.

The Braves could use some help in the rotation, and Cease would be a solid option for Atlanta to acquire this winter.

Cease could join Spencer Strider and Chris Sale to make a very strong top-three, and give the Braves the starting pitcher they've been searching for.

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