Even though the MLB season is just two days away, there are still options in MLB free agency, and the Atlanta Braves need to seriously consider adding another starting pitcher at some point.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Braves’ projected starting rotation to start the season is:
LHP Chris Sale (ace), RHP Reynaldo Lopez (barely pitched last season), RHP Grant Holmes, RHP Bryce Elder (5+ ERA last two seasons), and Jose Suarez. Suarez has just one start in MLB since 2025.
Although many Braves fans might not like this addition, Alex Anthopoulos could attempt to pursue former Yankees starter Nestor Cortes.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Urged to Sign 2X All-Star Starter Amid Pitching Injuries
Spencer Strider Sidelined to Start 2026 Season
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 25: Bench Coach Walt Weiss #4 of the Atlanta Braves during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 25, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Spencer Strider will begin the 2026 season on the Injured List with an oblique strain. That move has backed Atlanta into a corner, and FanSided’s Zachary Rotman is now encouraging the Braves to acquire starter Nestor Cortes in free agency. 2025 was rough for Cortes playing with the Brewers and Padres, but he has been a productive starter in the past.
With the Yankees from 2021 to 2024, Cortes had a 3.61 ERA over 555.2 innings, and he was named to the All-Star team in 2022.
Here is Rotman’s reasoning behind a potential move:
“The southpaw was an All-Star in 2022 and had a 3.77 ERA in 31 appearances (30 starts) in 2024. Everyone remembers him giving up the Freddie Freeman walk-off home run in that year’s World Series, and understandably so, but Cortes was a remarkably consistent contributor during that regular season and for much of his New York Yankees tenure.”
As a low-cost move, it’s one Atlanta should consider, and if he’s not productive, the Braves could just release him and forget it even happened.
More MLB on Heavy: Red Sox Announce Big News Before Opening Day Game vs. Reds
Braves Must Address Rotation in Some Capacity
Even if Atlanta doesn’t acquire Nestor Cortes, the starting rotation must be addressed in some capacity.
To endure several injuries before the season even begins is not ideal, especially when you consider every MLB team is going to deal with injuries to starters.
Another lefty option in free agency is Patrick Corbin. Of course, Lucas Giolito is the big free agent, but Atlanta doesn’t seem interested.
It would also be interesting to see if Alex Anthopoulos would want to trade for a starter at some point in the early going of the season. Huge trades usually don’t happen at this stage in the season, but they aren’t totally uncommon, and even a small move could make a big difference.
More MLB on Heavy: Mets Trade Prediction Lands Astrosâ $60 Million Slugger for Mark Vientos
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves Encouraged to Acquire Former Yankees Starter in Free Agency appeared first on Heavy Sports.