So it looks like we’re going to have some free agent rumors involving the Atlanta Braves this season. While the Braves have definitely been active in recent offseasons, it’s usually the Braves themselves who break the news of the decision they just made. The team itself has been accustomed to turning around the rumor mill themselves by taking the necessary action and letting everyone respond to it.

Instead, we’ve had a few rumors involving the Braves so far this offseason. Earlier, the team was rumored to be pursuing free agent starter Nathan Eovaldi and now it appears they are interested in another free agent pitcher: Walker Buehler.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi is the one that connects the Braves to Buehler, as Atlanta appears to be an early suitor for the former Dodgers starter.

2024 was a tough season for Buehler, as he finished with a 133 ERA and 134 FIP with -0.2 fWAR over 16 starts and 75.1 innings pitched in the most recent season. That being said, this was Buehler’s first season after recovering from Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. Prior to his most recent Tommy John surgery, Buehler had established himself as one of the best pitchers in the Dodgers’ rotation and racked up two 5 fWAR seasons in 2019 and 2021 where his ERA and FIP were in the 60s and 70.

The obvious hope for the Braves (and every other team pursuing him) is that Buehler can bounce back and return to the form he had before missing the entire 2023 season. The Braves themselves I had a little glimpse of it on September 15, when Buehler went six innings and allowed only one earned run (two total) in the process. He also pitched six shutout innings on May 18 against the Reds in what ended up being his best start of 2024.

Still, it’s been three years since Buehler hit his peak production and three years in baseball might as well be an eternity. This (combined with its poor performance in 2024) probably explains why MLB Trade Rumors Project that he will likely only be able to land a one-year deal when he enters free agency this offseason.

If that ends up being the case, then a one-year deal with around $14-16 million AAV on a potential rebound candidate seems like the type of starting pitcher deal that would be a great fit for Alex Anthopoulos. The Braves are definitely looking for a starting pitcher since Spencer Strider won’t be back until maybe a month or two into the season and they could potentially be without Max Fried and Charlie Morton in 2025. If Buehler returns to form in 2025, so he could earn a pretty penny when he returns to free agency – or he could land himself yet another contract extension from the Braves. Either way, it’s easy to see what’s right for the Braves given their needs. Whether or not they will actually pursue a serious prosecution remains to be seen.