The Atlanta Braves offseason is shaping up to be a quiet but intriguing one, at least if recent chatter—or the lack thereof—is any indicator. During his end-of-year press conference, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos hinted at an increased payroll for 2025. This sparked speculation about bold moves and big-name acquisitions. However, as the winter meetings approach, the buzz surrounding the Braves’ potential free-agency activity seems to be cooling.
Take Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer as an example. On December 2, Rymer released his top 25 free agents list, naming four potential suitors for each of his top 10 players. Surprisingly, the Braves weren’t included in the potential landing spots for any marquee names.
Even Max Fried, a standout left-hander who came in at No. 3 on Rymer’s list, saw his potential destinations limited to four American League East teams: the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles.
This omission isn’t entirely unexpected from Rymer. Last month, he projected the Braves’ free-agency haul would consist of re-signing veteran pitcher Charlie Morton and little else. While he had previously connected Atlanta to Fried, that possibility now seems far-fetched in Rymer’s eyes.
So, what gives? Are the Braves really sitting on the sidelines during one of the most exciting parts of the MLB offseason, or is there more to Anthopoulos’ strategy? It’s entirely possible that Rymer—and others—are underestimating the front office’s approach. Anthopoulos has a track record of pulling off unexpected moves, and he’s hinted that the payroll increase doesn’t necessarily mean a free-agent spending spree.
The Braves could be eyeing extensions for core players, looking to make trades rather than splashy signings, or even investing in other areas of the organization. While rumors linking them to a top-tier starting pitcher have dwindled, the team’s plans could easily include creative ways to maintain their dominance in the NL East without following the traditional offseason playbook.
In typical Anthopoulos fashion, the real story may only come into focus when the ink dries on the contracts—likely at the moment when no one sees it coming.
