Braves: 3 pitchers Atlanta can sign after missing on Justin Verlander

The Atlanta Braves were reportedly in on Justin Verlander but, after he re-signed in Houston, where should the champs shift their focus to add pitching?

Welp. The Justin Verlander dream for the Atlanta Braves came and went quickly as, in the heat of rumors about where the veteran hurler would sign this offseason, news broke that he’d be re-signing with the Houston Astros on a two-year deal with a player option for 2023.

There are obviously still big fish to fry for the recently crowned World Series champions, namely getting Freddie Freeman back for the long term, but there still is a reason Atlanta was in the market for a veteran starting pitcher. There are solid pieces in place for the core of the rotation with Ian Anderson, Charlie Morton and, of course, Max Fried.

However, with Mike Soroka unlikely to be ready to return early in 2022 and question marks elsewhere, the Braves could very much stand to simply change course in the free agency market to address the starting pitching need. In particular, these three players would make sense as signings for the champs.

Braves free agency: 3 pitchers to sign after not landing Justin Verlander

3. Alex Wood

How about a reunion at Truist Park between Atlanta and Alex Wood?

The soon-to-be 31-year-old southpaw began his MLB career with the Braves, spending 2.5 years in the majors with the club and performing well before ultimately landing with the Dodgers and, most recently, serving as a veteran presence in the patchwork Giants rotation that consistently delivered results for the 107-win club this past season.

Wood started 26 games in San Francisco last season and, though he wasn’t the star of the rotation, he proved to be a valuable arm that the team could rely on.

He finished the 2021 season with a 3.83 ERA but perhaps the better statement on his play was a 1.183 WHIP, the third-best mark of his career.

Obviously, when you compare Wood to Verlander, there isn’t much of a comparison to be made. But just because the Braves were initially going after a big name doesn’t mean that has to be the course of action. Wood could be a solid starter alongside the current core and help Atlanta try to defend their title.