The Atlanta Braves have a lot of tendencies, but one of the more prominent ones under Alex Anthopoulos is the preference towards adding players the team is familiar with. We have seen it time and time again in trades as well as waiver claims. Hell, Jesse Chavez basically remade the back half of his career because he and Atlanta could not quit each other. With the offseason looming, there are a number of former Braves players that could be fits for the team's roster needs.
Some of former Braves that are going to be available might actually work especially when you are talking about the fringes of Atlanta's roster where they are just going to be looking for depth. However, others are players that, for one reason or another, the Braves need to avoid if at all possible.
Here are the Braves reunions that Atlanta need to avoid making this offseason
There is no attempt here to highlight EVERY former Braves player that is going to be a free agent or on the trade block this offseason. Some, like Chavez and Charlie Morton, are retiring which makes talking about them silly and others have too many red flags to realistically consider regardless of their history with the team. However, there are a few players that could, in theory, serve a role on the 2026 Braves that the team needs to find a better option for those roster spots.
Orlando Arcia
This one is a stretch in terms of being a possibility as the Braves cut bait on Arcia with little indication that they regret that choice. However, the Braves do need a shortstop and if Ha-Seong Kim declines his option, the available shortstop pool gets pretty shallow in a hurry. Even if the Braves miss out on their preferred options, Arcia needs to remain off the table.
Jason Heyward
There is a world where the Braves could look to add a lefty outfield bat for the bench in 2026, but Jason Heyward doesn't need to be that bat. If he wanted to come back to the Braves on a one-day contract and retire, that would obviously be fine. However, Heyward probably should have called it quits after 2023 and he struggled so much in 2025 that the Padres released him and he never caught on anywhere else. The nostalgia may be strong, but it is time for Heyward to enjoy a well-earned rest in retirement.
Marcell Ozuna
Okay, this one is cheating a little bit as Marcell Ozuna is about to become a free agent, but it is worth saying again that the Braves need to move on from Ozuna. Not only did Ozuna's production crater in 2025, but not having a full-time DH would allow the Braves to have a lot more lineup flexibility with the presence of both Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy as well as the possible need to give Ronald Acuña Jr. some days off in the field. Unless he wants to sign for dirt cheap, there is little rationale for bringing him back.
Michael Soroka
As painful as it is to admit, it is past time to acknowledge that Michael Soroka is not an arm that can be counted on until he proves he can stay healthy. After an injury-riddled tenure with the Braves, Soroka seemingly got his career back on track with a strong 2024 second half with the White Sox and the Nationals took a shot on him as a rotation arm again. Soroka underperformed a bit with Washington, then got traded to the Cubs where he almost immediately suffered another injury. At this point, it feels like Soroka is going to have to successfully switch to relief full time to prolong his career and stay healthy. Unfortunately, the Braves are not in a position where gambling on him is a good idea.
Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson was much better in the Braves' bullpen than he was given credit for and his vibes are top notch. However, he has not looked the same since having Tommy John surgery in 2022 and he hasn't put up good season numbers since 2023. The Rangers, Tigers, and Mariners all took shots on him this season and Jackson is still pitching in the postseason, but the odds that he would be a net positive in the Braves' bullpen that needs a big rework are very small.