The Atlanta Braves’ offseason had everyone on edge. While teams like the Dodgers and Yankees were out there throwing money around, the Braves just kind of sat there.
After cutting payroll right after the 2024 season, Atlanta stayed uncomfortably quiet for months. And for a fanbase that’s used to aggressive front-office moves, the silence was deafening.
There was even speculation that the Braves were ducking the luxury tax instead of improving the roster. It was the kind of paranoia that starts to creep in when every headline is about some other team making a splash while your team is just watching.
Finally Atlanta Makes a Move
But then, finally, in January, Atlanta made a move—signing Jurickson Profar. Now, was this some blockbuster move that all of baseball felt? No.
But Profar wasn’t cheap either, and more importantly, the signing signaled that the Braves weren’t completely out of the spending game.
It was a clear message: Atlanta was still willing to invest in the right player at the right price.
Did the Braves Do Enough This Offseason?
Still, not everyone was satisfied. The rotation could have used another steady arm, and even GM Alex Anthopoulos admitted they didn’t fill the bullpen hole left by Joe Jiménez’s injury.
Fans worried the team wasn’t willing to open the checkbook this time. And then—enter Terry McGuirk. The Braves chairman finally lifted the curtain a bit and said what a lot of people needed to hear: Atlanta still has money to spend.
He flat-out stated that the Braves will keep a top-10 payroll for the foreseeable future.
The Real Reason the Braves Were Quiet
If money wasn’t the issue, why did Atlanta’s offseason feel so underwhelming? Well, the truth is, they could afford to be picky. The roster is already stacked, so the Braves weren’t desperate to overpay.
They looked at Willy Adames, but the asking price was too high. They made a run at Garrett Crochet, but Boston outbid them. Jeff Hoffman? They wanted him, but his deal fell apart after a failed physical.
It wasn’t that they weren’t trying—they were. It seemed like the list of players they were willing to go after was incredibly small, and the stars didn’t align.
A Big Trade Deadline Could Be Coming
The good news? McGuirk’s comments suggest that the Braves won’t hesitate to pull the trigger if the right deal comes along.
And with all that “dry powder” left in the budget, the 2025 trade deadline could get very interesting.
