The Braves offseason is set up to be anything but boring, and while some fireworks are guaranteed, the scale of the display remains up in the air. The spotlight will undoubtedly shine brightest on Max Fried’s future. All signs point to him testing free agency, and the chances of him wearing an Atlanta jersey again seem slim, but his departure is only the beginning of a complicated offseason puzzle for Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves front office.
First up is the shortstop conundrum. Orlando Arcia may have filled the role, but realistically, he’s more of a utility guy. Sure, he’s serviceable, but the Braves might want a more dynamic presence in the middle infield. The catch? The free agency market isn’t exactly brimming with quality shortstops, making an upgrade a tricky and most likely expensive venture. The team may have to weigh whether it’s worth chasing a name like Tim Anderson or exploring other creative solutions to shore up that spot.
Then, there’s the rotation, a key area that has haunted Anthopoulos every postseason. With Fried’s likely exit and Charlie Morton’s future uncertain, there’s no choice but to bolster the starting five. The Braves have some exciting arms—Spencer Schwellenbach’s rise, Reynaldo Lopez’s versatility, and Chris Sale’s resurgence all offer promise. Plus, Spencer Strider’s return to full form cements the Braves as having one of the most talented rotations in the league. But Anthopoulos knows better than to rely solely on potential, depth will be the name of the game. Expect him to dive into the free agent market or explore trades to strengthen the rotation and avoid another October headache.
The outfield presents another layer of intrigue. Currently, the Braves seem set on running with Jarred Kelenic in left field, but right field remains a giant question mark. Could Anthopoulos make a bold move and clear the logjam at the designated hitter spot by trading both Marcell Ozuna and Jorge Soler? It’s not as outlandish as it sounds. The Braves have a surplus of power at DH, but there’s a catch that not enough people are considering: Ronald Acuña Jr.’s health and position.
Acuña’s injury history complicates everything. His ACL tear already sidelined him once, and while he made it back, lingering soreness and other issues kept him out of the lineup sporadically throughout 2022. Now, with another injury concern, he’s taking a cautious approach, which might mean he stays out of the outfield altogether. If that’s the case, making Acuña the everyday DH could be the safest route, which in turn, makes Ozuna and Soler expendable.
Trading both could open up an estimated $32 million in payroll by 2025, giving Anthopoulos room to hunt for an everyday right fielder. With Ozuna coming off two of his best seasons, his trade value may never be higher, so striking while the iron is hot could yield a solid return. Soler might not fetch as much, but his power will attract attention, and if the Braves are willing to move on from him, they’ll have no shortage of suitors.
It’s a risky big-picture strategy, but Anthopoulos has never shied away from making tough decisions. If the Braves determine that prioritizing Acuña’s health is the best long-term move, they could flip the script and retool the outfield entirely. Whether it’s finding a long-term solution in right field or adding another arm to the rotation, the Braves have options—just not easy ones. As usual, Atlanta’s offseason looks poised for some drama, and no one should rule out anything when Anthopoulos is behind the wheel.
