How much better have the Braves really gotten this offseason?

Several big dominos have already fallen in free agency, and many more should be expected in the coming days now that Shohei Ohtani has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His decision was undoubtedly holding things up for many other teams and players, causing it to be a quiet first six weeks of the offseason. However, the Braves have been among the most active teams. They’ve yet to make any blockbuster signings or trades, but their transaction log is chock full of minor tweaks across the roster.

Nobody has made more moves than the Braves, but how much better have they really gotten since the end of last season?

Braves Offseason Overview

Upgraded Bullpen

The bullpen entered the offseason in a really sketchy position. Alex Anthopoulos immediately eased some of those concerns by bringing back Pierce Johnson and Joe Jimenez, but that was only the beginning. The Braves then inked the hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez to a three-year contract and traded for Aaron Bummer from the White Sox. Atlanta’s relief core wasn’t nearly as bad as a lot of fans made it out to be a year ago, but it could have been a lot better with a couple of additions. Anthopoulos took care of that within the first month of the offseason. The Braves will have one of the best bullpens in baseball in 2024.

Filled the void in left field

I decided to be cautious and not use the word “upgrade” when talking about the Braves left field situation because we really don’t know how it is going to pan out. Jarred Kelenic looks like he is in line to take over for Eddie Rosario after the Braves traded for him in a deal with the Mariners. Kelenic is only 24-years-old, under contract through 2028, and oozing with potential. This could be a trade we look back on and wonder how the hell Anthopoulos pulled it off. At worst, Kelenic should be an upgrade defensively and offer similar offensive production to Rosario. At best, the Braves found themselves another young, controllable All-Star outfielder to pair with two young stars in Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Rotation?

Coming into the offseason, the Braves had three areas where they could potentially upgrade — bullpen, left field, and the rotation. So far, it looks as if they’ve checked two of those boxes, assuming Kelenic can find some consistency in Atlanta. The rotation, however, may be relying on internal developments if it is to be better in 2024.

The Braves top three will enter next season the same as it was in 2023 — Max Fried, Spencer Strider, and Charlie Morton. Bryce Elder is currently projected to be the #4 starter, and then it looks to be a battle between AJ Smith-Shawver and Reynaldo Lopez for the fifth and final spot. The Braves have said they will stretch Lopez out this offseason and allow him to compete for an opportunity as a starter. Although, it would probably be best for the team if Smith-Shawver wins that job and runs with it.

But if we’re looking at the season as a whole, there are a multitude of other names to consider, like Hurston Waldrep. The Braves 2023 first-round selection has a lot of projectability and dominated in his first stint of professional ball. He very well could make his MLB debut at some point next season. Ian Anderson is on track to return at some point in the middle of the season as well after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and don’t forget about Huascar Ynoa, who is expected to be ready for Spring Training after also undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Braves rotation really isn’t in a dire state; however, with all of the injuries this group has suffered in recent seasons, it is understandable why some believed they would do a little more to upgrade this group going into 2024. That still may happen, but with each passing day, it’s beginning to look more and more likely that they rely on their internal options over spending big money on a starting pitcher.

—

Photo: Photographer: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire