The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for what’s shaping up to be MLB’s most competitive division race in 2025.
They’ll face stiff competition in the NL East from the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, while the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers loom large over the entire National League. For Atlanta to keep pace, their starting rotation needs to be rock solid.
Right now, the Braves have four strong starters in Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach. But that fifth spot? It’s a question mark that could persist throughout the season.
A trade might be the answer, especially if the San Diego Padres fall out of contention. The Braves already showed interest in Michael King earlier this offseason, and he’s likely to be on their radar again between Opening Day and the trade deadline.
FanSided’s Jacob Mountz predicted Wednesday that the Braves would land King, giving them the final piece needed to potentially form baseball’s most dominant rotation.
“Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known to keep a tight grip on the purse strings. But after trading Ian Anderson as well as losing both Charlie Morton and Max Fried in free agency, it seems the Braves’ starting rotation is in need of an upgrade,” Mountz wrote.
King’s Value
What makes King so appealing is his combination of performance and cost. He’s coming off his first full season as a starter, posting a 2.95 ERA across 173.2 innings — his highest ERA since 2021, but still excellent. His success and relatively low price tag make him an attractive trade target.
While King could be just a rental, there’s a strong case for the Braves to extend him. Spotrac projects his market value at four years and $71 million — a reasonable figure for a pitcher of his caliber. Plus, he has less wear and tear than typical free agents his age since he spent most of his career in the bullpen.
Adding King wouldn’t automatically make the Braves World Series favorites, but it would certainly strengthen their chances in what’s shaping up to be a brutally competitive National League.
