The Braves are interested Sonny Graylike MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (X Link) describes Atlanta as “one of the top contenders” for the right-hander’s services. The Twins (Gray’s former team), Cardinals and Phillies have been linked to the free agent at various points this winter, although Philadelphia is unlikely to be on the roster after re-signing him Aaron Nola earlier today.
Interestingly, Morosi and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Atlanta also pushed to sign Nola, suggesting the Braves are eyeing a major rotation upgrade. Reports from last week suggested the Braves were targeting pitching help, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote earlier today that “at least one front-line starter” appears to be on Atlanta’s wish list
As Rosenthal and others have observed since Friday’s non-tender deadline, the Braves have made a number of cuts to their draft class as a series of trades, releases and non-tenders left 10 open spots on the 40-man roster and nearly 10 spots were freed up and $14 million was saved from the budget. The Braves had planned to increase the payroll in 2024 anyway, but of course every dollar counts in a situation where Atlanta may have to outbid other teams for a top free agent hurler.
MLB Trade Rumors projected a four-year, $90 million deal for Gray, who was ranked ninth on our list of the top 50 free agents of the offseason. The three-time All-Star was solid for most of his 11-year career, but 2023 was arguably Gray’s best season as he posted a 2.79 ERA over 184 innings for the Twins and finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting. While Gray’s past injury history is a bit checkered, his performance last year likely helped dispel some doubts about whether or not Gray can remain a productive and durable arm as he enters his age-34 season.
It’s possible the Braves will at least consider Gray as a successor Charlie Morton as a loyal veteran of the rotation. Morton arrived in Atlanta ahead of his age-37 season and was very effective in his three seasons with the team, to the point that the Braves exercised their $20 million club option to bring Morton back for 2024. Morton is now 40 years old and often thinks about retiring Max Fried may be a free agent next winter, so Atlanta could use another longer-term pitcher to partner with Spencer Strider.
Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has been fairly measured in his free agent pursuits during his six years leading the front office. Marcell OzunaThe four-year, $65 million deal is easily the largest contract handed out by the Braves in the Anthopoulos era, with most of their other signings tending toward one- or two-year deals with seasoned veterans (i.e Kenley Jansen, Josh Donaldson, Morton’s first deal). Because the Braves are over the luxury tax threshold in 2023, they would also have to give up two 2024 draft picks and $1 million in international draft pool money to sign a qualifying offer that rejects free agents like Gray.
However, it could be that this is simply an additional price that Anthopoulos is willing to pay to strengthen the rotation. While the Braves’ starting pitching has been more than solid in recent years, it has fallen short of expectations in the playoffs the last two years, and the Braves have had to overcome many rotation injuries, particularly last year. With no signs of Atlanta’s strong lineup slowing down, improving the pitching staff could be the final step needed to get the Braves back to the World Series.