The Atlanta Braves have a lot of starting pitching already on the roster. But I would like most of our prospects to have atleast one more year in Gwinnett. I figured that we would look at some of the top pitching free agents and we did. But struck out! I trust AA and his ability to walk away when the price goes too high. I did see the we offered Nola more than Philly. I was surprised at the number but not really after we picked up all that "DEAD" money. Nola would have been worth the money. IMO

I would like to see Bryce Elder, AJSS, Dylan Dodd, Darius Vines, Allan Winans and Huascar Ynoa to be the starting rotation in Gwinnett most of the year. I would also like to see Reynoldo Lopez mostly coming out of the pen this year. I see him more of a 6th starter for rest purposes or a long reliever.

So that leaves us with Fried, Strider, and Morton as the rotation.

I don't see us getting Dylan Cease UNLESS a scenario happens close to this:

First Cease announces a change in agent

Second The White Sox announce they hate his new agent and is desperate to trade him.

Third (about an hour later) White Sox make Cease as the PTBNL in the Stassi and Bummer trades. But they want Waldrep too and the Braves say yes.

Forth He signs a new contract with the Braves probably a team friendly deal and long term.

I don't think this happens but I have seen a lot of weird trades in baseball.

The still available big name pitchers I am not a BIG fan of. I think Snell and Montgomery will regress in 2024 and will not be worth what they are asking for in length and total money in free agency. I think Stroman is my pick from the rest of the starting pitching but if Fangraphs is right and he gets $22MM per year. I think that is too much. He would not be any better than Morton and getting more than him.

I believe Ian Anderson will be an X-factor this year. Too my knowledge he will be back for spring training. If he is even close to his 2020 or 2021 numbers then he is easily in the rotation.

Does anyone know anything different about Anderson's health? Who is your favorite in free agency? Do you think Elder should be in the rotation all year?