The Braves have been comparatively quiet so far within the winter, having executed little so far past commerce Jorge Soler to the Angels firstly of the offseason. That’s created the impression of a membership being cautious about its payroll scenario this winter, after they stand prone to surpassing the luxurious tax for a 3rd consecutive 12 months, which might include stiff tax penalties and trigger the first-round decide within the 2026 draft to maneuver again ten spots. Regardless of the membership’s gradual begin to the winter, nevertheless, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos informed reporters (together with David O’Brien of The Athletic) that the membership is prepared to surpass the luxurious tax for a 3rd consecutive 12 months to deal with the membership’s wants this winter.
In response to O’Brien, the membership’s preliminary plans for the offseason have been scuttled after they obtained worrisome medical updates relating to stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider in addition to reliever Joe Jimenez. Neither Acuna nor Strider is anticipated to be prepared for Opening Day as issues stand, and O’Brien provides that each could possibly be out of motion “effectively into Could.” That information, together with the lack of Jimenez to knee surgical procedure for many or the entire 2025 marketing campaign, left the Braves to search for methods to release wage. Per O’Brien, the membership probably wouldn’t have restructured the contracts of Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer nor declined the membership choice of veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud had these accidents not put further strain on the membership to pursue assist in the outfield, rotation, and bullpen.
Of these three areas of the roster, the outfield seems to be essentially the most urgent for the membership to deal with. O’Brien notes that the Braves could want to be further cautious with Acuna subsequent season within the aftermath of his second torn ACL in 4 seasons, significantly after he struggled (a minimum of relative to his personal elite requirements) in 2022 after returning to the lineup as quickly as attainable. That’s led the membership to pursue outfield assist due to the comparatively lackluster in-house alternate options of Eli White, Luke Williams and Carlos D. Rodriguez as choices to pair with Jarred Kelenic and Michael Harris II on the grass till Acuna returns.
On the pitching facet of issues, nevertheless, the Braves seemingly have extra consolation with their inside choices. Reigning NL Cy Younger award winner figures to be joined by Lopez and rookie Spencer Schwellenbach within the membership’s Opening Day rotation for 2025, and the membership has numerous attainable inside choices to deal with the opposite two rotation spots together with Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Ian Anderson amongst others, however Anthopoulos urged one stunning inside candidate for a rotation job as effectively: right-hander Grant Holmes.
The 28-year-old made his MLB debut for the Braves this previous season and excelled in a swing position for the membership with a 3.56 ERA and three.20 FIP in 68 1/3 innings of labor cut up between seven begins and 19 aid appearances. Given Holmes’s obvious consolation shifting between the rotation and bullpen, he might show to be a good selection to fill in for Strider within the membership’s Opening Day rotation earlier than shifting right into a aid position as soon as the hard-throwing righty returns to motion. Equally, O’Brien notes that Anthopoulos expressed curiosity in utilizing right-hander Daysbel Hernandez in a set-up position in 2025 to assist make up for the lack of Jimenez. Hernandez pitched simply 18 innings for Atlanta in 2024 throughout 16 appearances, however he made a robust impression in that restricted time with a 2.50 ERA, a 35.1% strikeout fee, and a 2.11 FIP.
One different choice to assist make up for the lack of Jimenez that O’Brien notes could possibly be on the desk is a reunion with southpaw A.J. Minter. Whereas O’Brien means that the membership “would possibly” re-sign Minter this winter, one potential wrinkle in bringing Minter again to assist ease the lack of Jimenez is the truth that the lefty may additionally miss Opening Day following surgical procedure. Minter underwent season-ending hip surgical procedure again in August, and O’Brien notes that it’s not but clear whether or not or not he’ll be able to pitch early within the 2025 season.
Even setting apart the potential implications Minter’s well being might have on Atlanta’s curiosity in a reunion, his harm woes lingering into the season might considerably impression incomes energy this winter, as effectively. MLBTR predicted a two-year, $16MM deal for Minter earlier this offseason as a part of our annual High 50 MLB Free Brokers listing, however that prediction got here with the presumption that the southpaw can be prepared for Opening Day in 2025. If Minter’s rehab from surgical procedure leaves Opening Day in query for the lefty all through the offseason, it might hardly be a shock to see the 31-year-old accept a one-year deal this winter in hopes of proving himself wholesome and having a greater probability at a extra profitable multi-year deal subsequent 12 months.
