With the Atlanta Braves looking ahead to the 2027 season, the team has addressed its bullpen with a recent signing of a Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher from this past season. As the Braves signed a key Dodgers pitcher, Evan Phillips, two MLB insiders detail what the team will do next after the acquisition.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic would say that Atlanta's “pitching blueprint for 2027 revolves around” 21-year-old pitcher Didier Fuentes. He moved to the bullpen last season and was effective for the ball club, recording a 2.45 ERA with 92 strikeouts and three saves.
The insiders would say that with the Braves signing Phillips to the three-year, $35 million deal, it was “necessary to stretch out” Fuentes so he could be a starting pitcher next season. However, the league insiders would say Atlanta wants “to add at least one starter,” plus the possibility of re-signing Rasiel Iglesias or another closer is in the cards.
One player who is an “obvious fit” for the Braves
As mentioned by Rosenthal and Sammon, the Braves adding another starting pitcher would be smart, as a name mentioned is veteran Sonny Gray, who is an “obvious fit.” Gray is coming off a successful season with the Boston Red Sox, recording a 2.72 ERA with 149 strikeouts and an 18-5 record.
“Whatever the outcome with Fuentes, it would behoove the Braves to add at least one starter. Free-agent righty Sonny Gray, who lives in Nashville and prefers to pitch relatively close to home, remains an obvious fit,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. “And if the Braves opt against adding a closer, they could always supplement their bullpen with a setup type to pitch in front of Phillips and Suarez.”
Article Continues Below“Phillips, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025, returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July and struck out 33 and walked only six in 26 innings,” the two insiders continued.
It remains to be seen who Atlanta adds as the offseason goes on, as the team looks to improve after finishing with a 94-68 record, putting them first in the NL East, being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.