After an impressive 104-win regular season, the Braves found themselves once again falling victim to their division rival Phillies in the NLDS for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, there was deja vu as the team once again lost 3-1 in the playoff series. That said, it’s clear that the Braves are at a crossroads after winning it all in 2021. Where do they go from here after a historic 2023 season fell short of expectations?
Lots, and lots, of options
The Braves have five players who they will need to make a decision upon whether or not they want them to return to the team in 2024, beginning with Charlie Morton. Basically, if the 39-year old Morton wants to continue playing in 2024 instead of retiring, then the Braves are likely to pick up the $20M team option on his contract. Uncle Charlie has been invaluable to the pitching staff and could continue playing.
The rest of the options aren’t easy decisions, but I believe the team will decline the options of Brad Hand ($7M mutual) and Collin McHugh ($6M team, $1M buyout). Options for Eddie Rosario ($9M team) and Kirby Yates ($5.75M team, $1.25M buyout) are a different story, as I believe both of those guys could be brought back next year. Still though, it’s not out of the question to think that the team could look to upgrade in LF & in the bullpen, which are two areas that should be addressed this offseason.
Free agency frenzy
More decisions await the Braves this offseason, as players head for free agency. Pierce Johnson, Joe Jimenez, Jesse Chavez, & Kevin Pillar are all free agents in 2024. Remember that the team traded for Jimenez, so he seems likely to be brought back. That goes double for Johnson, a trade deadline acquisition from the Rockies in 2023. Pillar & Chavez are likely candidates to sign minor league deals later this offseason.
Upgrading the roster
While it’s clear that the Braves need to take care of in-house business first, they also need to sign impactful free agents and/or make trade acquisitions this offseason. I’m not opposed to making upgrades in LF & SS after the bats went cold in the playoffs. Orlando Arcia was a nice feel good story during the first half of the season; however, his bat went ice cold down the stretch & the team signed Nicky Lopez for a reason. Eddie Rosario & Kevin Pillar platooned in LF last year, but things weren’t perfect. Signing someone like Cody Bellinger or Teoscar Hernandez could benefit the club. Reuniting with old friends like Adam Duvall & Joc Pederson should be discussed too.
Acquiring a starting pitcher should also be atop the offseason priorities after NLDS Game 3 starter Bryce Elder struggled down the stretch & in that particular game. Charlie Morton coming back would certainly help to stabilize the rotation, but that decision isn’t entirely up to the team & they still need an upgrade regardless. Kyle Wright will miss next season due to shoulder surgery, & other rotation options such as Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, & Mike Soroka have been untrustworthy to date.
That said, there are plenty of frontline starters on the market this offseason including Shohei Ohtani (LAA), Marcus Stroman (CHI), Aaron Nola (PHI), & others. I’m not sure if we have money to sign any of those guys, but we must sign a reliable young starter in 2024 if we have any hope of contending for a World Series title.
The Sports Beacon 