MLB Opening Day is less than two weeks away. While the free agent pool has dwindled drastically, starter Lucas Giolito is still available, and the Atlanta Braves could use a rotation boost to open up the regular season. There have been tough injuries to three contributing options in the Braves’ rotation since spring training opened up.
The tough injury news to players like Joey Wentz, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep could force Alex Anthopoulos’ hand in making a roster decision. The Braves still have plenty of internal options, but that will lead to doubts in the rotation if Carlos Carrasco, Bryce Elder, or Martin Perez start getting regular opportunities. A recent prediction has the Braves adding Giolito to ‘save the team’s rotation’.
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Lucas Giolito’s Market Value is $61 Million
GettyLucas Giolito #54 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 28, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
According to Spotrac’s market value tool, Lucas Giolito could earn a contract worth three years, $61 million.
This evaluation is likely the reason Giolito has not signed yet. MLB teams don’t value him, with a lengthy injury history, as a $20 millionn AAV arm, and organizations have not shown that they want to commit to him for multiple years.
With those things considered, though, Giolito did post a 3.41 ERA last season over 140+ innings and 26 starts.
FanSided.com’s Austin Owens thinks signing Lucas Giolito could ‘save the Braves rotation’:
“Signing Giolito would be a high-risk, high-reward situation for the Braves. Situations like this are not exactly GM Alex Anthopoulos’ forte but let’s play the “what if” game for a minute. If Atlanta could add Giolito to their roster, it would add tremendous depth. Even if it is something as simple as putting Giolito in the rotation and moving Grant Holmes to the bullpen, it could make a massive difference for the Braves.”
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Will the Braves Sign Lucas Giolito?
The other two starters that Austin Owens lists as potential arms to help the Braves’ rotation with depth are JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes.
As for if the Braves will make this signing? If Atlanta could get him on a $10-12 million AAV deal for one or two years, yes Giolito is a name to consider because he’s really the most effective option on the market by a long shot.
Other MLB starters still looking for their next organization? Marcus Stroman, Patrick Corbin, and Nestor Cortes.
Those aren’t the names the Braves will target, so landing Giolito could be that little rotation boost heading into the fresh 2026 season that could pay dividends.
Atlanta is in a position where they are worried about where innings will come from in the rotation outside of Chris Sale and Spencer Strider.
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