ATLANTA, GA — The quiet voices around the league are getting louder: The Atlanta Braves are being urgently advised by insiders to make a bold move for a predicted $135 million frontline starting pitcher—a pursuit that could fundamentally redefine the Braves’ championship window.
The specific name attached to the five-year, $135 million contract projection being pushed to the Braves front office is Arizona Diamondbacks ace, Zac Gallen.
This aggressive target signals something larger is brewing—a crucial shift in ambition that may catch the entire National League off guard after the Braves suffered a rotation collapse in 2025.
The Pitch: Why Gallen Fits the Ambition
While Gallen had a tumultuous 2025 season (posting a 4.93 ERA), the move is being championed by those who believe the Braves’ elite pitching infrastructure can unlock his previous Cy Young-level form. The key arguments for this ambitious pursuit are compelling:
1. Durability and Track Record
The Braves rotation was decimated by injuries in 2025, leading to a record number of pitchers used. Gallen’s greatest asset is his ability to take the ball: he has logged 28+ starts in four straight seasons and consistently provides high innings volume (192 innings in 2025). This durability is the exact antidote to Atlanta’s recent injury woes.
2. The “Fix-It” Philosophy
Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos (AA) has a history of acquiring pitchers who need an adjustment and seeing his staff revitalize their careers. Insiders believe that if Gallen were to sign with Atlanta, their acclaimed pitching room could immediately make mechanical adjustments to get him back to his 2022-2023 form (2.54 ERA in 2022, 3.47 ERA in 2023).
3. The Shift in Spending
The $135 million contract projection is significant for the Braves, who are notoriously conservative with long-term, high-AAV pitching deals. If AA pursues Gallen at this price point, it would signal a calculated, aggressive break from tradition, showing that the need for a sure-thing, top-three starter has outweighed all prior financial caution.
The New NL East Arms Race
The aggressive nature of the move is crucial because the Braves’ main rivals—the Phillies and Mets—have signaled they are “spending big” to catch up.
Atlanta already has a solid 1-2 punch in Chris Sale and Spencer Strider (assuming a full return to form), but adding a proven frontline arm like Gallen would create a terrifying and deep core four (along with a high-upside young arm like Hurston Waldrep), placing the Braves firmly back atop the NL power rankings.
The whispers are clear: to maintain their championship window, the Braves must make a move that is bold, immediate, and decisive.
