The Atlanta Braves are quietly building a monster this offseason, and if you haven’t been paying attention, now’s the time to tune in. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is doing exactly what he said he would: identifying needs and addressing them with surgical precision. The result? A dramatically retooled coaching staff, a fortified bullpen, and a roster that looks increasingly poised to compete deep into October.
A New Generation of Braves Coaches Brings a Bold Shift
Under bench coach Walt Weiss, the Braves have welcomed a wave of youthful energy into the clubhouse. Jeremy Hefner (39), Antoan Richardson (42), Tony Mansolino (43), and J.P. Martinez (43) all represent a younger generation of baseball minds, a clear shift from the more traditional staff setups of Braves teams past. This isn’t just about age; it’s about philosophy, adaptation, and a front office that understands the modern game requires modern thinkers.
Needs Met, Holes Filled, and One Final Target
But coaching is only part of the equation. Atlanta’s bullpen needed reinforcements; they got them. Outfield depth was thin; now it’s not. The shortstop question lingered; it’s been answered. Piece by piece, the front office has methodically plugged the gaps, and now, all signs point to the final frontier: one more starting pitcher.
Chris Bassitt Could Be the Morton-Type Anchor
Enter Chris Bassitt. The former Mets and Blue Jays right-hander has the exact profile Anthopoulos tends to favor: durability, experience, and a reliable floor. Over the past five seasons, Bassitt has been a model of consistency, throwing no fewer than 157 innings each year and posting a 3.66 ERA. For a Braves rotation stacked with upside but clouded by injury concerns, Bassitt’s presence would act as an anchor. This would be a Charlie Morton-type move, not flashy, but essential.
Yes, there’s confidence in the current group, Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, but there’s also a glaring truth: too many of these arms are coming off surgeries or inconsistent stretches. Another reliable starter isn’t just a luxury; it might be the difference between a good team and a great one.
The Braves know their championship window is wide open. The core is intact, the coaching staff is re-energized, and the roster is being sculpted with intent. If the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, say, a name like Chris Bassitt, Atlanta could enter Spring Training not just as a contender, but as the team to beat in the National League.
