The Braves aren’t done reshaping their roster. Even after landing All-Star outfielder Jurickson Profar on Thursday, there’s still work to be done – especially with the rotation.
Profar’s arrival solves one pressing issue, giving Atlanta flexibility in the outfield until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns. It’s a move that lets them avoid relying too heavily on both Bryan De La Cruz and Jarred Kelenic in starting roles.
But the starting rotation needs attention. Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López are locked in, but Spencer Strider’s injury leaves two spots open to start the season. That’s where things get interesting.
Kyle Gibson might be the answer. FanSided’s Josh Jacobs thinks the former Cardinals starter could land in Atlanta, and it makes sense. Here’s why:
“He’s not going to replace the production of a Max Fried, but he can provide certainty for the club throughout the regular season, and with their lineup, Gibson would be more than good enough to win ballgames for them,” Jacobs writes.
Let’s put it this way – Gibson isn’t Max Fried. Nobody available right now is. But what he brings is reliability and innings. He threw 169 2/3 innings for St. Louis last year and 192 for Baltimore the year before. Sure, his ERA sat above 4.00 both seasons, but those innings matter – especially with a bullpen that’s also lost some key pieces.
The price seems reasonable too. Spotrac projects a two-year, $27 million deal for the 37-year-old Gibson, though he might even take a one-year contract at this point in the offseason.
The Braves could roll with their Triple-A arms instead. It’s cheaper and maybe more exciting. But Gibson offers something those young arms can’t – predictability. In a rotation with some health questions, that’s worth considering.
