Braves Rumors: Sonny Gray given his qualifying offer, which complicates things
If the Atlanta Braves want to add a frontline starting pitcher this offseason, Sonny Gray may be their most realistic bet. After Charlie Morton opted in to the final season of his own contract, the Braves essentially have $20 million less to play with. It doesn't help that Gray was given his own qualifying offer on Monday, further complicating a potential match in the ATL.
The Twins were smart to give Gray a qualifying offer, as they are still hopeful for a reunion. The one-year, $20.5 million contract offer essentially gives the Twins first dibs. If Gray accepts, then he'll remain in Minnesota. If he declines -- which is the far more likely outcome here -- the Twins will receive some draft capital when he signs elsewhere.
Gray hinted at a willingness to take less money for the chance to sign with a winner when the Twins were knocked out of the postseason. That was music to Alex Anthopoulos's ears.
"We want to go to a place where you feel wanted," said Gray, per The Athletic's Dan Hayes. "I don't know if this is the right thing to say before going to become a free agent, but I'll say it because it's honest. Money is not the ultimate factor for me. Never has been. Having said that, you want to be valued appropriately. … There are a lot of factors that go into those decisions. It's not only me making it. As anyone who's known me throughout the course of this year and last year, there are a lot of other things that go into it, my wife and my kids a big part of it. But I do love it here."
Gray loves Minnesota, but the odds of them signing a 34-year-old to a long contract are slim to none. In Atlanta, he'd be a perfect fit, though the Braves would likely have to forfeit several draft selections.
Braves Rumors: Charlie Morton is back, isn't that a good thing?
Charlie Morton exercised his $20 million option on Monday, meaning he will remain with the Atlanta Braves heading into the 2024 season. Morton had a successful 2023 stint, in which he pitched to a 3.64 ERA. By no means is that bad, and the Braves would surely sign up for that production again in the middle of their rotation. Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder and Morton make for a good rotation core for Anthopoulos to build around.
However, there's a slight issue here -- depth. Morton is soon to be over 40 years old. Towards the end of the last season, Morton struggled on the mound and lost several MPH on his fastball. He'll likely regain that edge by spring training, but the Braves need to be careful with him. Kyle Wright is also out for all of next season. That $20 million means Anthopoulos has less money to repair Atlanta's rotation the way he needs to.
Gray, if he's willing to drop his price tag, could still be a potential fix. Aaron Nola is almost certainly out of the question despite Jeff Passan connecting the two sides prior to Morton's decision.
Nola certainly fits what the Braves prioritize in starting pitchers: low walks, high strikeouts, lots of innings. And while his 2023 left plenty to be desired, his expected numbers weren't nearly as rough as his 4.46 ERA. Nola has never been a stuff guy, so in order for him to age gracefully, he'll have to rely on control and command," Passan wrote.
Now, the Braves must look elsewhere in what's considering a pretty weak starting pitcher market.
Braves Rumors: Could Jason Heyward or Adam Duvall return?
Along with Morton's decision, the Braves also declined Eddie Rosario's team option, thus making him a free agent. With Rosario and Kevin Pillar out of the picture, Atlanta must find a new corner outfielder. Assuming Vaughn Grissom doesn't change positions heading in 2024, they have no real internal option.
David O'Brien of The Athletic discussed two potential options to replace Rosario, and they may seem familiar to Braves fans. O'Brien also hinted at Tommy Pham of the Arizona Diamondbacks as an ideal fit.
"Among free-agent options who don't figure to command budget-busting contracts are Tommy Pham, who could add an edge that some around the team say was lacking this year, and former Braves Adam Duvall and Jason Heyward, who had a bounce-back season with the Dodgers, batting .269 with 15 homers and an .813 OPS in 377 plate appearances as part of a lefty-righty platoon."
Heyward last played for the Braves in 2014, and has since seen stints on the Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. Former Brave Freddie Freeman helped recruit Heyward to the Dodgers just last season, and it paid off big time. A return to Atlanta could be exactly what this team needs right now, as Heyward is a great clubhouse presence as well.