It took awhile to get there, but the Atlanta Braves finally have the feel of a team with some momentum this offseason. It's true the Braves have a robust core of talented players already locked up to long-term deals, so massive offseason turnover was never something in the cards for Atlanta.
However, the seal on the offseason finally broke yesterday with the signing of Jurickson Profar to a three-year deal. Alex Anthopoulos would later speak on the Profar, signing as well as give fans an insight on what's to come for the remainder of the offseason in Atlanta.
Braves' pitching pursuit this offseason likely to continue even after Profar deal
Signing Profar provides the Braves with the bat they desperately needed to lengthen the lineup, and as soon as that was made official many fans turned their attention toward pitching. The desire to add to the rotation has grown over the course of the winter as Braves fans have watched Max Fried and Charlie Morton sign new deals with AL East teams.
Meanwhile, upgrading the bullpen has been mentioned by many across Braves media as well. According to David O'Briend of The Athletic, Anthopoulos told reporters that the team has payroll flexibility to add to the rotation and the bullpen, but they're not close to any deal at the moment. Like Profar, it's probably going to have to be the right player at the right price for the Braves to bring in another arm and take opportunities away from their young pitching prospects.
Braves fans get encouraging update on health of Spencer Strider
It's been reported all offseason that Braves ace Spencer Strider wouldn't be on the Opening Day roster as he works his way back from the UCL surgery he underwent last year. However, each update we've gotten this winter has been an encouraging one.
Anthopoulos shared yesterday that Strider is up to his fourth bullpen session this offseason, and he will come into the spring preparing for a normal camp. However, that vote of confidence didn't change the fact that Strider won't open the season with the big league club. The Braves will very much be taking a cautious approach with both Strider and Acuna this spring.
Strider is up to his fourth bullpen session. He’ll come into spring to have a normal camp, but won’t be on the opening day roster
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) January 24, 2025
Anthopoulos backs Orlando Arcia as Braves everyday shortstop
The signing of Jurickson Profar really lengthens the Braves lineup for 2025. Once Acuna is back leading off, you could see an everyday lineup where career 114 wRC+ hitter Sean Murphy is batting eighth regularly. That of course would slot Orlando Arcia in the nine-hole, exactly where the Braves envisioned him batting last season.
As we all know the onslaught of injuries for Atlanta prevented Arcia from batting at the bottom and really exposed his bat is crucial moments. Now, the Braves feel confident Arcia can play his solid defense and hide toward the bottom of the order, and the club will win a lot of games.
Alex Anthopoulos said as much in his media session yesterday. AA said, "We went into last season thinking Orlando [Arcia] would hit 8, 9. You're now in that spot where, with everyone healthy, you're looking at him in the 9-hole and 1 through 8 is a lot of really established guys that have a chance to be very, very strong."
The Braves still have some money to spend this offseason and shortstop is really the only offensive position Atlanta could flirt with upgrading. However, after AA's latest comments it's clear the team is ready to roll with Arcia once again in 2025 and instead hope to add some talent to the pitching staff.