The Atlanta Braves have had a relatively quiet offseason. But they could not ignore for the fact the dire need to strengthen their starting rotation. With the departures of Max Fried and Charlie Morton, the Braves are left with significant gaps in their pitching staff. And rumors are swirling that they could pivot to free agent Jack Flaherty to fill the void.
Flaherty, who split his 2024 season between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, posted a 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts. He proved to be a reliable arm, especially during the Dodgers’ postseason run. He was there starting key games in both the National League Championship Series and the World Series. Despite some concerns about his durability, Flaherty’s motive to seek a short-term deal with a high annual value makes him an intriguing option for Atlanta.
The Braves offered Jeff Hoffman a 5 year deal for $48 million, and wanted him as a starter before going to the pen the back end of the contract
— Dillion Harper (@og_yungdilly) January 13, 2025
HOLYYYYYYY👀
AA not playing around with money
Why not go talk with Jack Flaherty who will be a lot cheaper and less years?
Financial flexibility is a key factor that could make Flaherty a viable target for the Braves. The organization has shed significant payroll this offseason. They traded Jorge Soler, declined Travis d’Arnaud’s contract option, and structured extensions for pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer. These strategic financial decisions have given Atlanta the room to pursue Flaherty without overcommitting long-term resources.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan recently noted that signing Flaherty would address critical concerns about the Braves’ rotation depth. Although the Braves have championship aspirations. Spencer Strider is likely going to be out for a while because of an injury, and there are concerns about how well Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez will perform in 2024. Because of this, getting a reliable pitcher is very important.
Kirby Yates Could Top Atlanta Braves’ Priority This Offseason
As the offseason draws to a close, the Braves must seize the opportunity to prioritize signing Kirby Yates. They have already failed to acquire top-tier relievers like Tanner Scott. After a few misses and fewer hits, the team finds itself in a complex position, with Spring Training just around the corner.
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The top relievers remaining in free agency:
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) January 20, 2025
Kirby Yates
Carlos Estevez
David Robertson
Kenley Jansen
Paul Sewald
Kyle Finnegan
Brooks Raley
Tommy Kahnle
Kendall Graveman
Tim Hill
Andrew Chafin
Tommy Kahnle
Phil Matonpic.twitter.com/RjYhMvZRIQ
Yates could be a great answer for the Braves’ need for a dependable late-game pitcher. He had an impressive comeback season with the Texas Rangers last year. Yates had a fantastic 1.17 ERA and strong stats that show he can be a valuable addition to the bullpen, given that Joe Jimenez is currently injured.
Investing in Yates could be a smart move for the Braves, especially if they consider a multi-year contract that could lower his annual salary. This would allow the team to lock in a talented reliever while also managing their budget effectively.
Also Read: Anthony Santander Predicted To Remain In The AL East After $82,000,000 Offer
