With the offseason underway after another early exit in the playoffs, it’s time to look into what’s next for our Atlanta Braves. Three consecutive years of being knocked out in the first round has left a bitter taste. Being swept by the Padres emphasizes that point even further. So, what can they do to not only make an eighth straight postseason in 2025 but also break that frustrating playoff series slump since their magical 2021 World Series win?
d’Arnaud pops out to end it, #Braves lose 5-4 and their postseason is over, swept in two games by the Padres. It’s the third consecutive year that Atlanta has lost its first playoff round since winning the 2021 World Series.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 3, 2024
Well, first things first… health. We can’t stress this enough as we get through the offseason. Injuries plagued this team from day one of the regular season when star catcher Sean Murphy went down with an oblique strain. Then, on the last day of the season, Chris Sale, was sidelined with back spasms, leaving the Braves without their dominant lefty for the Wild Card series. But beyond injuries, let’s zoom in on some key areas that Atlanta will need to address before the 2025 season kicks off.
Braves Rotation Changes
The Braves’ pitching staff still posted an NL-best 3.58 ERA, even with preseason Cy Young favorite Spencer Strider going down after just two starts due to elbow surgery. A large chunk of that success came thanks to the dazzling performances of offseason additions Chris Sale and Reynaldo López, who both went above and beyond expectations.
Assuming Sale’s injury is indeed just a minor issue, as the team claims, he’ll be back in 2025 to headline the rotation. Spencer Schwellenbach was a revelation as a rookie, López proved too valuable as a starter to be shuffled back to the bullpen, and Strider should return sometime early in the season. That’s a formidable group which gives the Braves some flexibility in their decision-making when it comes to veteran starters Max Fried and Charlie Morton.
Fried, a free agent, is expected to land a massive contract elsewhere, and Morton, who turns 41 soon, is probably on the verge of retiring. Atlanta could chase a reliable innings-eater for depth, but with youngsters like Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, and Ian Anderson waiting in the wings, don’t expect them to go all-in on a high-profile starter. If anything, they’ll look for a solid veteran arm who can step in if injuries arise.
What About Jorge Soler?
Here’s where things get tricky. Soler still has two years left on his deal at $16 million per year after Atlanta brought him back at the trade deadline. But with Ronald Acuña Jr. expected to return from knee surgery by early 2025—possibly even by Opening Day—where does Soler fit?
The most obvious solution would be using him as the designated hitter. The problem is that Marcell Ozuna has been the team’s consistent power hitter over the past two seasons. Currently he’s is locked in with a $16 million team option for 2025. Odds are that the Braves will pick up that option or work out a longer extension with Ozuna, given his steady production and influence in the clubhouse.
So, where does that leave Soler? Atlanta traded for Jarred Kelenic last season, but hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. He has just shown flashes of potential with the team so far. If the Braves were to platoon Kelenic and Soler in left field, Soler wouldn’t see enough at-bats to justify his hefty price tag. Trading Soler sounds like an option, but Atlanta might not get much in return, and they could end up eating a chunk of his contract.
One wild-card scenario? Keep Kelenic as the fourth outfielder and roll with Soler in left field, defense be damned. Then, if they can’t reach a deal with Ozuna, let Soler take over as DH in 2026 for the final year of his contract. It’s not ideal, but it might be their best move if necessary this offseason.
Time for a Shortstop Overhaul?
Orlando Arcia’s All-Star selection in 2023 was a feel-good story, but the cold reality is that his offensive numbers have nosedived ever since. Over his past 1 1/2 seasons, Arcia has posted one of the worst batting averages and OPS in the league, turning him into more of a liability than an asset when the Braves aren’t getting elite production from the rest of the lineup.
Arcia is still a solid defender and a beloved figure in the clubhouse. With a team-friendly contract, he could easily slot into a utility role. Given Ozzie Albies’ injury history, he remains strong depth to have available. But if Atlanta wants a more reliable presence at shortstop, they’ll likely need to explore the trade market.
Nacho Alvarez is a solid prospect who could step into the shortstop role sometime in 2025. Though he struggled during a brief stint filling in for Albies at second base, Alvarez impressed at Triple-A and could be ready to make the leap soon. But waiting for Alvarez to develop fully may take time, and the Braves could opt to upgrade the shortstop position now, possibly via a trade.
It’s going to be a pivotal offseason for Atlanta. They have the pieces to make another postseason run with how strong their core players are. They also have a number of players hitting free agency as well. If they want to make noise in October, they’ll need to bolster their rotation depth, figure out the best use of Soler, and perhaps make a move to upgrade at shortstop. One thing’s for sure: Braves fans will be watching closely.
