Braves Offseason Questions: Time to make a splash in the outfield?

This continues a series breaking down the biggest questions facing the Braves this offseason. If you missed any of the previous editions to this series, follow the links below.

• Should Braves trade Jorge Soler?
• How will the Braves replace Max Fried?
• Will the Braves retain A.J. Minter?

Time for the Braves to make a splash in the outfield?

Because essentially the Braves’ entire core is locked into long-term contracts, it’s not easy to find areas where the club can clearly improve by adding to the roster. In terms of needs, like every club, the Braves could always stand to bring in more pitching, both starters and relievers. Shortstop is also an area of concern, with Orlando Arcia being an obvious weak link.

However, the Braves pitching staff was the best in baseball this year. They’ll have to figure out how to replace Charlie Morton and Max Fried in the rotation, but Spencer Strider will go a long way in doing that. Alex Anthopoulos probably isn’t going to swing big for a starting pitcher unless he desires to keep Max Fried in Atlanta.

The bullpen also doesn’t need a giant makeover. The Braves must make a decision on A.J. Minter and could probably use another reliable arm, but it certainly doesn’t need to be something they invest heavily in this offseason.

If the Braves are going to make a substantial splash this winter, it will probably be for more offense, and as I talked about recently in my early free agent preview for shortstops, there aren’t many options available that are clear upgrades over Orlando Arcia. It might be a tough pill to swallow, but the odds are the Braves stick with Arcia and his extremely palatable $2 million contract in hopes that he experiences some positive regression offensively in 2025.

The easiest place for the Braves to boost their lineup, whether it be through free agency or trade, is in the outfield. Their experiment in left field with Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall was a failure. Thankfully, Ramon Laureano stepped in and saved the day during the second half of the season, but the Braves can’t possibly rely on Laureano to produce at that level in 2025 again.

At the very least, there needs to be competition brought in, but this feels like an opportunity for Alex Anthopoulos to make a splash. There’s a clear need and a plethora of talented options on the market to choose from. He might get creative and go the trade route, as we’ve seen so many times before, but I would wager the Braves are aggressive in adding to their outfield this winter.

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Photographer: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire

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