Though the Atlanta Braves dropped a close one to the Nationals on Wednesday, snapping their 10-game winning streak, this late-season surge is a reminder that this core group of players is still capable of playing at a high level. What it shouldn’t do, however, is erase the memory of what was still one of the most disappointing campaigns in franchise history given the lofty expectations entering the year.
The Braves have a multitude of needs to address this offseason. The hope is that Ha-Seong Kim will fill one of them, but there’s no guarantee he’ll opt into his $16 million player option. Atlanta will also need to add an outfielder/DH with Marcell Ozuna set to hit free agency, but overall, the lineup likely only needs a few tweaks.
The pitching staff, on the other hand, needs a significant overhaul. The rotation entered the year paper-thin and ends it nearly nonexistent. Chris Sale is the lone member of the Opening Day rotation still standing, and even he spent nearly two months on the IL.
The emergence of Hurston Waldrep is encouraging, and there’s hope that Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo López, and Grant Holmes will all be healthy by Spring Training. But banking on everyone bouncing back from major injuries is a massive risk — one the Braves should be wary of after seeing Spencer Strider’s struggles in his first season following InternalBrace surgery.
Alex Anthopoulos’ refusal to spend on frontline starters in free agency proved costly again this year — and it isn’t the first time. Under his watch, Atlanta has entered nearly every postseason undermanned in the rotation. They’re lucky to have the one World Series title they do. This winter, the Braves must finally open the checkbook and land a starter with a proven track record.
The bullpen also needs reinforcements. Though Atlanta’s relievers improved down the stretch, they are still far from good enough to sustain success over 162 games. Closer Raisel Iglesias is set to hit free agency as well, leaving a major hole that won’t be cheap to fill. As it stands, this bullpen is nowhere near World Series caliber, and it must be treated as such when free agency begins.
The good news is that this roster is far from broken. These final two months have proven that. But a quiet offseason from Anthopoulos is not an option. The Braves have holes to fill, and if they don’t address them aggressively, they could find themselves watching October from home again in 2026.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
