It may feel like deja vu for Atlanta Braves fans, as the team once again needs to address starting pitching, shortstop, and the bullpen this offseason. Shortstop, especially, has been a revolving door since Dansby Swanson left in free agency.
Atlanta has only been able to find short-term solutions, and that can't continue forever. Starting pitching has had health struggles, so they can't just hope to run it back with the same group. If fans have any confidence, it's that the bullpen will be addressed. Alex Anthopoulos has already started that journey with the addition of Evan Phillips on a three-year, $35 million contract. Rumors have the Braves tied to Raisel Iglesias as well. So, the bullpen will be taken care of.
The problem with starting pitching and shortstop is that they may not be able to bring back Tyler Mahle and Mauricio Dubon to reprise their roles. The desire is certainly there, but many other teams are hoping to land them as well. Atlanta has maintained contact since the team was eliminated from the playoffs.
If the Braves can't reunite with their pending free agents, the trade market remains the better option than free agency for them
Anthopoulos stated, “Obviously, we haven’t signed any of them, but we’ve communicated either with them or their agents, all of them, in the exclusive period after we got eliminated and, obviously, now that we’re into the offseason.” However, there is a chance the team could miss out on them. So, they may have to quickly pivot to the trade market to fill their needs instead.
The free agent market for shortstops isn't appealing whatsoever, so looking for a player like Gunnar Henderson may make more sense if Dubon signs elsewhere. Atlanta has great talent to offer in a trade, and with the competitive starting pitching market, they will need as much help as they can get.
Anthopoulos has often been hesitant to trade top talent in years past, and it's understandable to be cautious. The team will need that depth in case things go wrong, but it's also wise to utilize that talent to help a team whose championship window is shrinking.
He will need to break from that hesitance if the team is unable to bring back some of their contributors from 2026.
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