Even though their rivals are making offseason moves, the Braves are still among the best clubs in baseball.
As currently constructed, Alex Anthopoulos needs to make additions to the outfield, bullpen, and rotation. The departure of Max Fried and potentially Charlie Morton, along with Spencer Strider‘s delayed return, create major concerns surrounding the rotation.
However, that same sentiment could be applied to the outfield. The Braves relegated Jarred Kelenic to a bench role at the end of the season, and Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s timeline to return from his second ACL surgery is cloudy. Insurance plans must be made.
Anthopoulos does have a lot to do this offseason, but this roster remains better than 95% of clubs around the league. Very few can compare.Â
A new team just entered the discussion, however. According to BetMGM odds, the Dodgers are seen as the favorites to the win the World Series next year, and it’s not particularly close at +350. The Braves followed them for the longest time, but the Mets signing Juan Soto resulted in a leap up the board. New York is now +700 to win the World Series, with the Braves right behind them at +800.
With Steve Cohen’s backing, the Mets have endless funds, so the Braves will never be able to go dollar-for-dollar with them, or even the Dodgers for that matter. However, baseball isn’t a game of stacking stars and winning title after title. It helps, but if that were the case, Los Angeles would be the ten-time defending World Series champions. There’s so much more that goes into winning the World Series, and that’s what makes Major League Baseball’s postseason unlike any other sport.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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