The Atlanta Braves have finally addressed one of their key offseason needs with the signing of All-Star outfielder on Thursday, giving fans a sense of relief. With Profar on board, there’s no longer the concern of Bryan De La Cruz and Jarred Kelenic both starting in the outfield, and when Ronald Acuña Jr. returns to full health, the duo could even find themselves on the bench.
However, the starting rotation still appears incomplete. Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo López have secured spots, but with Spencer Strider starting the season on the injured list, two positions remain uncertain.
At this point in free agency, the Braves won’t find a direct replacement for the star power of Max Fried, but they could still sign a veteran to fill some of his innings. On Thursday, FanSided’s Josh Jacobs speculated that the Braves might sign former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and 2021 American League All-Star Kyle Gibson to a free-agent deal.
“With the loss of Max Fried and Charlie Morton to free agency, and Spencer Strider still recovering from elbow surgery, the Braves will need to look for a solid option,” Jacobs said. “Gibson may not replace Fried’s production, but he could provide the Braves with stability throughout the season, and with their strong lineup, he would be more than capable of helping them win games.”
Gibson, 37, pitched 169 2/3 innings for the Cardinals last season and 192 for the Baltimore Orioles the year before. While his ERA was over four in both years, those innings could be crucial for saving the Braves’ bullpen, which has also lost some key contributors.
Spotrac projects Gibson for a two-year, $27 million contract, though there’s a good chance he could settle for a one-year deal. While it’s worth considering, the Braves might opt to rely on a group of promising Triple-A pitchers instead.
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