The Atlanta Braves just endured the most disappointing season in recent memory. ESPN’s preseason projections listed 96 wins for Atlanta and a 91.1% likelihood of earning a playoff spot, and yet the Braves fell 20 games short of that prediction and missed the postseason altogether.
The Braves Need Starting Pitching
Part of Atlanta’s preseason optimism was rooted in the Braves’ Opening Day starting rotation: Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes. By the summer, each of these pitchers had been placed on the 60-Day IL. The team's starting rotation thus became a source of concern, rather than confidence.
Between injuries and underperformance, 19 different players appeared as starters for the 2025 Braves. With Smith-Shawver likely to miss much of the 2026 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, along with lingering questions about the health of Reynaldo Lopez and Spencer Schwellenbach, one thing is clear: acquiring quality starting pitching is an offseason priority for the Braves.
Dylan Cease Makes Sense for the Braves
The Atlanta Braves have reportedly been interested in trading for Georgia native Dylan Cease for two consecutive offseasons, but have been deterred by the high prospect cost associated with acquiring him. Now they have the opportunity to bring Cease into the organization as a free agent – without having to trade away any prospects at all.
Although he is represented by Scott Boras (with whom the Braves have little track record of negotiating), Sports Illustrated currently projects Cease to receive a 5-year, $125 million contract this offseason, while ESPN predicts that Cease will receive a 5-year, $145 million deal. Atlanta has swung big before in an attempt to land a frontline starter as the franchise reportedly offered Aaron Nola six years and $162 million two offseasons ago. By that standard, Cease seems to be within the Braves’ budget.
Moreover, the right-hander is coming off an underwhelming year (8-12, 4.55 ERA, 1.1 bWAR). There is a historical precedent that he could end up signing a short-term “prove it” deal at a higher Average Annual Value (AAV), much like fellow Boras client Blake Snell did with the Giants two offseasons ago. Dating back to third baseman Josh Donaldson before the 2019 season, Alex Anthopoulos has a track record of signing established veterans to these sorts of contracts. What’s to stop him from offering the same to Cease?
Cease is from Braves Country. He has a history of durability that Atlanta tends to prioritize, having made at least 32 starts each year since 2021. His contract should be within the Braves’ tolerance for risk, whether on a long-term or short-term deal.
For all of these reasons, Dylan Cease makes sense for the Braves to acquire this offseason.