Yesterday afternoon Alex Anthopoulos provided some key updates on offseason plans and where he thinks the Braves roster stands entering 2025. Fans have been patiently waiting for Anthopoulos to make a move, especially after some of the top free agents have begun to come off the board in recent days.
After Anthopoulos' recent comments, there is reason to expect some movement soon...perhaps this week at the Winter Meetings.
Braves won't be scared of spending because of potential luxury tax penalties
Despite some national speculation about the Braves attempting to stay below the luxury tax threshold to reset penalties, Anthopoulos told reporters yesterday that the Bravesdoesn't view those potential penalties as a deterrent for spending this offseason.
The 2025 MLB luxury tax threshold is set for $241 million, which the Braves are currently projected to be about $24 million shy of thanks to their offseason moves thus far. If the Braves exceed that number they would be subject to a 50% tax rate for every dollar they go over that figure. Anthopoulos didn't seem to worried about that so long as the club avoids exceeding the figure by $40 million or more, which would result in the Braves having their top 2025 draft pick moved back ten slots.
Anthopoulos said the potential of exceeding the luxury threshold for a third straight year won't be viewed as a hinderance for the Braves. They're hoping Daysbel Hernandez proves to be a high-leverage guy next year and Grant Holmes might be used as a starter in 2025.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 8, 2024
Anthopoulos claims Grant Holmes could start in 2025, but fans should take that with a grain of salt
The Braves GM also mentioned how second year pitcher Grant Holmes could be viewed as a rotation piece in 2025. Holmes pitched admirably in 2024 with a 3.56 ERA and encouraging metrics via Baseball Savant.
However, despite Holmes' success in 2024 being inserted into the 2025 rotation feels a bit far fetched as of now. It's likely Holmes will make a couple starts next year just from need with certain injury or rainouts. But Holmes being a guy who takes the ball every fifth day isn't likely in the Braves plans for 2025.
Instead this is pretty generic GM talk so that Anthopoulos can have some form of leverage when negotiating with free agent starting pitchers this winter.
Daysbel Hernandez named as hopeful breakout candidate in 2025
The 28 year-old RHP Daysbel Hernandez was excellent in a small sample size for the Braves last season. Hernandez pitched to a 2.50 ERA and 2.11 FIP in 18 innings of work in 2024. However, Hernandez never really stuck in the majors due to the Braves deep bullpen, and his command issues (26 walks in 41.2 innings with Gwinnett last season).
Of course Anthopoulos is hopeful Hernandez (or anyone for that matter) can step up and fill the void left from the Joe Jimenez injury. However, it's pretty foolish to expect that from a pitcher who's never really proven that during his pro career thus far.
While it's doubtful the Braves will allocate a large portion of their funds towards an impact reliever, they likely won't be pushing their chips in on unknown bullpen arms either.