The Atlanta Braves are heading into the 2026 offseason with clear needs at the bottom of the rotation. It is easy to project that Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep will take the first four spots, leaving one remaining question mark. While Reynaldo Lopez may have a legitimate argument for this role, an injury-shortened 2025 season might cause the Braves to re-evaluate and opt to move Lopez back into the bullpen.
With this in mind, looking at potential free agent fits, it is clear that veteran Justin Verlander should be near the top of Atlanta's list of options. The aging star is the perfect tone-setter and experienced arm to replace Charlie Morton. After struggling to stick with the Tigers or Orioles during the 2025 season, it is expected that Morton will retire at some point this offseason.
The Braves could use someone to replace the innings-eater role Morton has previously filled; this much is clear, and Verlander is the perfect option. They've already added emergency depth to the rotation this offseason. Now, the Braves need an established producer at the bottom of the rotation. Despite taking double-digit losses during the 2025 campaign, the right-hander had an ERA below 4.00 and made quality starts consistently down the stretch of the season.
Braves' Perfect Final Piece to 2026 Rotation Could Be Justin Verlander
Verlander still struck out 137 hitters and offers the type of starting and postseason experience that would greatly benefit a young rotation. While Sale has plenty of past experiences to draw on in his own right, the rest of Atlanta's starting options are young and unproven postseason performers who could benefit from the steadying presence of another accomplished starter.
Adding to this is the fact that the veteran is a very affordable option and won't be signed to a long-term deal due to his age. With this in mind, the Braves can sign Verlander and still add another piece to the rotation. This gives the roster the needed depth while having a cemented starting option with high upside.
For Verlander, it is a chance to contribute to a team that badly needs leadership while also potentially bringing him back to postseason relevance. Helping the Braves return to the National League postseason picture would go a long way in furthering a legacy that is already written.
Adding one final page to that story would further cement Verlander as one of the best starters we've seen over the last two decades. Finishing his career in Atlanta is the perfect ending and gives the Braves a chance to add much-needed energy and leadership to a clubhouse that has been lifeless at the end of the season in each of the past two years. It is a move worth exploring, at the very least, over the coming weeks of the offseason.