The Atlanta Braves have a number of legitimate excuses for why they have struggled so much in recent years. They have had some fluke injuries pop up that, whether fans want to believe it or not, impacted key players over multiple seasons, and there is not much Atlanta could do about it. However, there are other players who are establishing some trends that are harder to defend.
Even really good players can become liabilities in one form or another. That doesn't take away from the player they were, but it should inform the Braves' decisions and fans' perception that some guys can't be trusted in certain roles anymore.
Here are the Braves players who have to earn back fans' trust again in 2026
We are looking at regulars on the active roster here, not guys occupying the last bullpen or bench spots. Fringe 40-man guys are, by definition, already flawed players, and everyone already knows that. Instead, here are a few familiar faces that fans shouldn't bother defending until they prove they are worth the trouble.
Jurickson Profar
You should absolutely lose the fans' (and team's) trust the moment you test positive for PEDs, no matter how much the player tries to brush it off and move on. Profar seems like a decent dude and teammate most of the time, but his suspension was the first domino that fell during the Braves' 2025 collapse and calls into question how good an investment his contract is going to end up being. Now, his breakout 2024 season is suspect, and he is going to have to show he can be close to that guy off the juice. Even then, it is hard to root for a cheater.
Ozzie Albies
It was kind of a fun bit for a few years there, where the national media just continually disrespected Ozzie Albies despite the fact that he was among the best second basemen in all of baseball. However, what first looked like just some rough injury luck has become a pattern, and it is now completely fair to call him injury-prone and wonder about his future with the Braves. He will absolutely go down as the best second baseman to ever play for Atlanta and would be a really strong contender to have his number retired, but the guy can't stay on the field, and no one should expect him to until he plays close to a full season.
Bryce Elder
It is tough to pile on a guy like Bryce Elder, who is clearly a depth arm, but man it is getting rough to see him take the mound as much as he does and to have so many bleh or worse starts. There is a reason why the Braves previously only brought him up to cover innings against terrible teams like the Marlins. At this point, his upside is a quality start here and there, and his floor is that Elder doesn't escape the first inning. The slider is good at getting ground balls, but that is pretty much it until Elder shows that he can be less of an adventure on the mound.