Free agency is underway, trade rumors are running rampant, and we could be in for a wild month of transactions leading up to what’s expected to be a lengthy lockout. The Braves always like to attack their needs early — and they have plenty of them — so I don’t expect that to change this year.

Atlanta needs to add at least one proven starting pitcher, but two would really hammer the issue home. Another high-leverage arm is also something they should be targeting, with Raisel Iglesias a free agent and Didier Fuentes expected to be part of the rotation.

From a lineup perspective, left field must be addressed. Jurickson Profar cannot remain on this roster after a second PED suspension, and finding an answer at shortstop remains the Braves’ longest-standing need.

Here’s how they should attack every position this offseason.

Rotation

1. Chris Sale
2. Grant Holmes
3. Bryce Elder
4. Didier Fuentes
5. JR Ritchie
6. A.J. Smith-Shawver
7. Spencer Strider
8. Spencer Schwellenbach
9. Owen Murphy

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If everything went absolutely perfectly, the Braves might not have many issues with the rotation. But the reality is they only have three proven starting pitchers, and two of them aren’t guys who can be relied on in the playoffs.

The hope is Didier Fuentes’ success in the bullpen translates to the rotation. JR Ritchie and A.J. Smith-Shawver both have high ceilings, but neither has proven anything yet. Smith-Shawver, in particular, looks better suited for a relief role.

Then there’s Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach. Neither has been ruled out for the entire 2027 season, but both have pitched sparingly over the last 18 months. There’s no telling what they might bring to the table if they’re ever healthy enough to pitch again. The Braves shouldn’t be relying on them for anything.

Adding another frontline starting pitcher is non-negotiable if the Braves are serious about contending. I expect them to be in on many of the top guys in free agency, but keep an eye on Jacob deGrom. If he has a change of heart about leaving Texas, the two sides already had a deal in place that would have sent him to Atlanta at the trade deadline.

Bullpen

1. Robert Suarez
2. Dylan Lee
3. Dylan Dodd
4. Ray Kerr
5. Victor Mederos
6. Reynaldo Lopez
7. James Karinchak

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With Raisel Iglesias hitting free agency and Didier Fuentes moving to the rotation, the Braves enter the offseason down two of their best bullpen arms from this year. An easy fix would be re-signing Iglesias to a one-year deal and filling in around him. This is a group that needs multiple additions, even if it’s not an area where they have to spend big.

Catchers

1. Drake Baldwin
2. Sean Murphy

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This isn’t an area where I’d expect movement. Drake Baldwin isn’t going anywhere, and you can probably say the same about Sean Murphy. But if the Braves did want to clear some money for other moves, Murphy is a trade candidate, and there would be interest — there just aren’t enough quality catchers around the league. His contract isn’t terrible, and there’s some upside if he can ever stay healthy for an entire season.

Infield

1. Matt Olson
2. Ozzie Albies
3. Austin Riley
4. Jim Jarvis

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If the season began today, Jim Jarvis would likely be the Braves’ starting shortstop. Obviously, that needs to be addressed. Mauricio Dubon is an option who could be brought back, but there are some marquee shortstops who could be available via trade this offseason, headlined by Gunnar Henderson, Zach Neto, and Jeremy Peña. This is the area where the Braves should make a blockbuster splash, given the sheer lack of options in free agency.

There likely won’t be change anywhere else. The Braves aren’t going to do better than Ozzie Albies for $7 million. Matt Olson is arguably the best first baseman in the game, and while Riley might be the most-hated man in Atlanta, I don’t expect many suitors for his services following a dreadful 2026 campaign.

Outfield

1. Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. Michael Harris II
3. Mike Yastrzemski
4. Brewer Hicklen
5. Jurickson Profar

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No, the Braves should not trade Ronald Acuña Jr. this offseason. Michael Harris II isn’t going anywhere either, but the Braves should be looking to upgrade significantly in left field. I’ve said it repeatedly this offseason: Jurickson Profar cannot be on the roster next season. He’s completely screwed the team over two straight years out of pure selfishness, and the organization can’t accept that.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many reasonable free agent outfielders who move the needle, especially with Randy Arozarena, Jake Bauers, and Seiya Suzuki receiving qualifying offers — which likely takes them off the Braves’ board. Ian Happ makes some sense, but this could be another area where the Braves should survey the trade landscape.

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