The Atlanta Braves have dealt with a lot of injuries early on this season, especially with their starting rotation. They began the season without Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. Waldrep and Schwellenbach are dealing with arm injuries while Strider is dealing with an oblique strain.
Surprisingly, there are a number of free agents that have still yet to sign, and some of them are starting pitchers. Some of the options include Lucas Giolito, Marcus Stroman, Tyler Anderson and Nestor Cortes.
Stroman was one of the top 10 remaining free agents listed by Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report. Among the fits potential fits listed for him were the Braves.
“Marcus Stroman was an All-Star for the second time in 2023, and then his career fell off a cliff after he joined the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season,” Rymer wrote.
“Stroman’s stuff is just not what it used to be. Whereas he could once sit in the low-to-mid 90s with his sinker, the pitch averaged just 89.8 mph last year. His contact rate was higher than it had been since back in 2015.
“Even so, this is a guy with a history of having a chip on his shoulder. He also has a history of throwing strikes and getting ground balls, qualities that are never not useful.”
Atlanta Braves Could Make Sense for Marcus Stroman
Stroman hasn’t quite been himself in several years. Last season, he was limited to just nine starts with the New York Yankees and he posted a 6.23 ERA.
However, the 34-year-old is a two-time All-Star and former Gold Glove winner. He owns a career 3.79 ERA in 270 appearances and has been a reliable source of ground balls in the past.
Any team in need of a starter could use him, but especially the Braves, who are down several pitchers to start the season. The Braves are off to a pretty good start, sitting at 6-5 and just a half-game back in the National League East.
The Braves went 76-86 last season and missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, thanks in large part to injuries on their pitching staff. To avoid having that happen again, signing somebody like Stroman to a one-year deal might make sense.
Atlanta wouldn’t have to give up anything to get him. He could be ready very quickly and allow the Braves to not have to wait until the trade deadline to make moves to bolster their staff.
Braves Need Reinforcements
While the Braves are off to a strong start, it’s only a matter of time before they start feeling the losses of Schwellenbach, Strider and Waldrep. Signing somebody like Stroman would make a lot of sense and could push them right back into the conversation for an NL East title.
They may not be able to make it until the trade deadline before doing something, but the free agent market has played out in their favor, with several options still somehow available with the season underway.
It will be interesting to see if Atlanta decides to make a move.
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