Atlanta Braves: Predicting the 2021 Roster

Atlanta Braves — Bullpen

Bullpen: Will Smith, AJ Minter, Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, Shane Greene, Touki Toussaint, Josh Tomlin, Sean Newcomb

Smith, Minter, Jackson, and Martin are all under control/contract for 2021 and I imagine they find their way into the Braves’ bullpen next season.

Shane Greene and Josh Tomlin both are free agents after this season, but it makes a ton of sense to bring them back to solidify the bullpen. Greene has been excellent in the late-inning role and Tomlin has become popular in Atlanta due to his ability to do whatever needed out of the pen.

Touki and Newk make up the final two bullpen spots (Ynoa could easily find his way there if he continues to pitch well in 2020). Newk makes sense as a multiple inning reliever and some have thought Touki’s electric fastball and devastating curveball would play better as a guy out of the bullpen.

There are other options that could be explored this offseason. Melancon’s contract expires after 2020 but a short term deal to return to the Braves could be in the cards if he continues to pitch well.

Brandon Workman, Andrew Chafin, Tony Watson, Darren O’day, Tyler Clippard, and Trevor May could also be considered to fill out the Atlanta bullpen.

The Braves could make a deep run in 2020. However, injury concerns and questions about the rotation could be a potential downfall this year.

The Braves are in a great position to be competitive and take that next step forward as the class of the league starting in 2021. A few moves and they become legitimate World Series favorites.

So, what do you think? What do the Braves look like in 2021? Drop your predictions for the lineup and rotation in the comments below.