The Atlanta Braves have a great starting rotation on paper, but after last season, it seems only Chris Sale came to play. Now, the rest of the rotation might bounce back in 2026, but getting another star to help Sale seems like a good idea.
Fansided’s Chris Landers proposes that the Braves’ solution should be to go out and sign All-Star Lucas Giolito. While he has his durability issues, he was one of the more solid pitchers in baseball last season.
“When fully healthy, the Braves could boast quite the rotation in 2026. The problem is that, from Spencer Strider to Spencer Schwellenbach to Chris Sale to Reynaldo Lopez to Grant Holmes, it's hard to know just who will be available and for how long....Giolito profiles as just that. He also comes with injury risk — he started the 2025 season late coming back from elbow surgery, and he ended it early due to another elbow issue — and he didn't miss nearly as many bats last year as he had in the past. But another year removed from surgery should help him find his old stuff again, and at the very least he brings a certain amount of veteran savvy. If he's looking for a one-year deal to rebuild his value, Atlanta might jump at the chance,” Landers wrote.
Giolito finished 2025 with a 10-4 record, a 3.41 ERA, 121 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.290 over 145 innings pitched. For about two-thirds of the season, he was also one of the best pitchers in baseball alongside his teammates in Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.
While a one-year deal is preferable to Atlanta, Giolito is projected to receive a three-year, $61 million deal. However, as the free agent market has made it known, what you’re projected to get and what you actually get are two very different things.
Either way, landing Giolito would be a solid move for the Braves. Hopefully, they contact his camp soon to get the ball rolling.
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