As winter approached, the Braves’ offseason looked straightforward: trade one of the designated hitters, solidify the back end of the rotation and bullpen, pick up an outfielder or two, and get ready for Opening Day. But now, things have gotten far more complicated.
Recent developments make it clear that Alex Anthopoulos has much more on his plate than anticipated.
The Braves started clearing up cap space this offseason, beginning with the Jorge Soler trade, which shed $16 million in payroll for 2025. They’ve also restructured Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez’s contracts and declined Travis d’Arnaud’s option.
Adding to the complexity, Anthopoulos informed the Atlanta media on Tuesday that Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t be ready for Opening Day. Unfortunately, that’s not the only injury setback. Joe Jiménez, who recently underwent knee surgery, could miss most—if not all—of the 2025 season.
This means the Braves now need to allocate more resources to the rotation, with Strider out, and both Max Fried and Charlie Morton potentially on the move. The bullpen needs attention, too, with Jiménez sidelined and A.J. Minter exploring free agency.
The team also needs at least one full-time outfielder for right field, and left field remains an open question. It’s unlikely the club will rely solely on Jarred Kelenic. Plus, there’s the need for a backup catcher.
And that’s not all—the Braves might even consider an upgrade at shortstop.
What once seemed like a manageable offseason has quickly turned into a lengthy to-do list for Anthopoulos and Atlanta’s front office.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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