The Atlanta Braves 2024 campaign didn’t end how anyone in Braves Country initially hoped. It’s World Series or bust in Atlanta; the players acknowledged it prior to the season, and nothing short of a championship will satisfy Braves Country, who experienced glory just three short years ago.
However, the ending to this year’s campaign felt a little different than the prior two. Injuries decimated Atlanta’s roster from Opening Day all the way to the final day of the season. It’s really impressive they even made it to October after everything they had to overcome. There’s not much this bunch has to hang their head about, but there are a lot of questions that need to be answered going into 2025.
How will the Braves round out their rotation?
Might as well address the elephant in the room first. Max Fried is set to test free agency, and most expect him to find a new home. The Braves don’t pay sticker price for anything, and the All-Star southpaw will have no shortage of suitors. A bidding war will soon ensue, and Alex Anthopoulos isn’t one to get involved in those often.
But even without Max Fried, the Braves rotation is in really good shape. Chris Sale will be fresh off a Cy Young season, Reynaldo Lopez proved he’s more than capable of being a full-time starter, Spencer Schwellenbach is a budding star, and Spencer Strider is expected to be back around Opening Day.
Max Fried would be a wonderful guy to round out the rotation, but he’s more of a luxury rather than a need. If he departs, the Braves could look to bring back Charlie Morton for another season if he doesn’t opt to retire. Younger guys like AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Ian Anderson could battle it out during Spring Training, or the Braves could look to free agency for a cheaper Fried replacement.
I think it’ll be the latter. Max Fried is going to be too expensive, Charlie Morton seems like he’s heading toward retirement, and the Braves arms on the farm haven’t proven they’re ready for the show just yet and will likely begin the season in Gwinnett. At the very least, the Braves will add to the competition, even if it won’t be a marquee name.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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