After a disappointing 2025 season marred by injuries and underperformance, the Atlanta Braves have aggressively reshaped their roster this offseason. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos signed six free agents and made a trade, committing over $106 million to bolster the bullpen, infield, and outfield. These additions aim to address last year's shortcomings and position the team as a playoff contender.
The Atlanta Braves entered 2025 as National League favorites with a seven-year postseason streak, boasting a strong core including Chris Sale, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Spencer Strider, and 93.4% playoff odds per FanGraphs. However, injuries sidelined key players like Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Austin Riley, and Strider, while Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, Marcell Ozuna, and Sean Murphy struggled offensively. The result was a 76-86 record and a fourth-place finish in the NL East, despite the emergence of NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin.
Treating 2025 as an aberration, Anthopoulos acted decisively this winter. The Braves signed six MLB free agents, second only to the Cubs in volume, with guarantees exceeding $106 million—the fifth-highest outlay. Bullpen reinforcements include former Padres closer Robert Suárez on a three-year, $45 million deal, boasting 76 saves since 2024, the most in baseball. Raisel Iglesias was re-signed for one year and $16 million to remain the closer, while Joel Payamps and Danny Young joined on one-year deals to improve a unit that ranked 19th with a 4.19 ERA.
Offensively, Atlanta traded utilityman Nick Allen to Houston for Mauricio Dubón, adding defensive versatility. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim returned on a one-year, $20 million contract after a waiver stint, addressing the team's last-place shortstop production (56 wRC+). Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski signed for two years and $23 million, providing consistent depth (.809 OPS vs. right-handers) behind Acuña and Jurickson Profar. With Ozuna now a free agent, the DH spot opens for rotation among Yastrzemski, Profar, Murphy, and Baldwin.
The rotation remains a concern, led by a healthy Sale but vulnerable to injuries with Strider, Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and Hurston Waldrep. Depth includes Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, and Didier Fuentes. While over the luxury tax by $6 million, further pursuits of starters like Zac Gallen or Framber Valdez could solidify the group, signaling Atlanta's commitment to avoiding another setback.
