If there is one clear priority for the Atlanta Braves this offseason, it is pitching.
How Atlanta navigates the remainder of free agency is still uncertain, but there is growing belief that general manager Alex Anthopoulos could be ready to spend for a top-of-the-rotation arm.
Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball has suggested that target could be Philadelphia Phillies free agent Ranger Suárez, one of the most accomplished starters available this winter.
“The Braves could benefit from a reliable presence in the middle of their rotation and would also welcome another left-hander to complement Chris Sale. With Framber Valdez likely commanding a price beyond their range, Atlanta could turn its attention to Suárez in an effort to pry him away from a division rival.
“Suárez is a fit for virtually any rotation, giving him several appealing options. There’s a strong argument that he should be the top priority for both the Braves and the Tigers this offseason. Ultimately, it will come down to which team is willing to bid aggressively to land him,” Finkelstein wrote.
Adding a pitcher of Suárez’s quality would be a major boost for the Braves, but doing so at the expense of the Phillies would make the move even more impactful, both in the NL East race and potentially deep into October.
While it is rarely fair to say one player can completely alter a franchise’s outlook, Suárez has the talent to swing a postseason series, especially if he performs at the level he showed during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.