Just a few days out from Opening Day, the Atlanta Braves are putting the final touches on a roster that—on paper—looks like it’s built for October. But don’t let the star power fool you; the final stretch of camp hasn’t been all sunshine and champagne showers.
Between a few surprise moves and some key rankings that have fans buzzing, this team is walking into the 2025 season with high expectations and just enough drama to keep things interesting.
José Suarez: Surprise Addition, Potential Bargain?
Let’s start with the eyebrow-raiser of the week. When Atlanta sent Ian Anderson packing to the Angels on Sunday, most figured it was a mutual “fresh start” kind of deal.
Anderson’s control issues made it hard to see a clear path back to the Braves rotation. And Suarez—who came back in the deal—looked like a waiver-wire depth piece at best.
Despite a rocky couple of seasons and a trip through waivers last year, José Suarez is headed to Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. It seems the Braves see something here. They need a long man in the bullpen. Suarez fits that mold, even if it’s a bit of a gamble.
Atlanta’s coaching staff has a knack for turning struggling arms into legit contributors, keep that in mind. If Suarez clicks, this could be one of the more useful under-the-radar moves of the offseason. The leash probably won’t be long if not.
Braves’ Offense Ranked #2 in MLB
Despite the news that Ronald Acuña Jr. will be out until May, analysts still ranked Atlanta’s lineup second-best in all of baseball, right behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That’s how deep this group is. From Matt Olson’s power bat to Ozzie Albies’ consistency to Austin Riley’s muscle in the middle of the order, there just aren’t a lot of soft spots here.
Don’t forget about Marcell Ozuna who mashed last season. This team doesn’t just have stars; it has layers. It’s the kind of lineup where even the seven-hole hitter could drop 25 bombs.
Final Roster Spots Still Up for Grabs
While the core pieces are all in place, Brian Snitker has made it clear that there’s still a bit of a battle at the roster’s fringes. A few bullpen spots, maybe a bench role or two, are still up in the air as camp winds down.
The front office has been busy. Recent moves, including their reassigned veterans like Jesse Chavez and Craig Kimbrel to minor league camp, show they’re not making decisions based on name value.
That’s kind of the theme here: the Braves aren’t locked into any narrative. They’re building a team that blends star power with smart, flexible depth. And while nothing is guaranteed in baseball, one thing is clear—this roster is as ready as it’s going to be.
