The Atlanta Braves enter one of their most critical offseasons in years. They need a new manager, possibly a revamped coaching staff, and roster reinforcements across the rotation, bullpen, and lineup.
But before Alex Anthopoulos turns to free agency or trades, the club’s biggest additions might already be on the roster — getting healthy again.
Acuña and Strider’s full recoveries could reset Braves ceiling
Atlanta opened the 2025 season without Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, and Joe Jiménez — four cornerstone players. Even after Acuña and Strider returned midseason, the Braves never fully regained their rhythm.
Now, both stars are expected to have a normal offseason for the first time in nearly two years. Acuña finished strong down the stretch and should enter camp fully healthy, while Strider’s focus will be on rediscovering his trademark velocity and fastball shape.
His diminished fastball life in 2025 forced him to adjust his pitch mix — something the Braves hope a full winter of mechanical fine-tuning can fix.
Riley and Albies need bounce-backs after frustrating 2025
Beyond the rotation, the infield duo of Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies underperformed offensively in 2025. As MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported, both may still have been dealing with lingering hand and wrist issues from 2024.
Albies’ future remains uncertain — Atlanta holds an affordable club option for 2026, but his injury history clouds long-term confidence. Riley, meanwhile, underwent hernia surgery late in the year, and the team believes the extended rest will help him regain his power stroke.
Key depth pieces also nearing full strength
The list of injured Braves doesn’t stop there. Reynaldo López, Joe Jiménez, Sean Murphy, and Spencer Schwellenbach are all expected to be full-go by spring training. That represents a massive injection of both depth and upside into a roster that battled through instability all season.
Getting López and Jiménez back solidifies the pitching staff, while a healthy Murphy behind the plate should stabilize the lineup and staff handling.
Health helps — but the front office must act
Acuña, Strider, Riley, Albies, López, Murphy, and Jiménez returning at full strength will make Atlanta a contender again on paper. But as 2025 proved, complacency is not an option.
Anthopoulos and his staff must still reinforce the rotation and bullpen depth, improve the bench, and address lineup balance. Healthy stars can lift the Braves back into contention — but only if the roster around them is built to support it.
