The Atlanta Braves, following their NLDS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games, are now going to be on the lookout for ways to improve the roster this offseason.
This Braves team could use a lot of help in the starting rotation, as Chris Sale is obviously not enough to contend for a World Series. Trade deadline pickup Tyler Mahle was a huge help, but he’s now on the open market.
However, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is predicting the Braves won’t let Mahle go, and that they’ll re-sign him this offseason to keep him around long-term. This predicted outcome is the obvious best-case scenario, as Mahle is a no-brainer to re-sign this winter.
Braves predicted to re-sign Tyler Mahle in no-brainer move
“Even if Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are back next year, Mahle would be a great stabilizing presence in the rotation,” Reuter writes. “Verdict: Re-sign.”
Bringing Mahle back on a long-term deal would make a lot of sense. While he might not have the pedigree of some of the other top pitchers hitting free agency, like Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, and Michael King, he’s shown plenty of promise in Atlanta.
The 31-year-old veteran starter had a 1.99 ERA for the Braves in nine starts this season since being acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the mid-season mark.
With how good he looked in the postseason as well, it’s obvious that the Braves should be trying to sign Mahle to a new long-term deal.
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Sale is the team’s No. 1 option, but he’s older and might not have a lot left in the tank. Add in that the rest of the rotation is chock-full of question marks, and re-signing Mahle becomes an obvious step towards building a good rotation next season.
He was incredible with the Braves this season, and is more than deserving of a quality multi-year contract.
The Braves likely won’t have to pay top dollar to sign him, but even if they do, it would be worth it.
If Mahle continues to pitch how he did in Atlanta going forward, he’s more than worth $20-plus million per year.
If the Braves can do it, re-signing him should be priority No. 1 this offseason. Reuter is predicting the Braves agree and sign Mahle this offseason.
