While the Atlanta Braves are largely in really good shape heading into the 2025 season assuming they can get completely healthy in relatively short order, they still have some work to do this offseason. Adding an arm to their rotation to replace Max Fried would be nice and they still could really use at least one more proven arm for the bullpen and an upgrade at shortstop given Orlando Arcia's struggles. However, the biggest apparent need at the moment for the Braves is in the outfield.
Michael Harris II is a mortal lock in center field and Ronald Acuna Jr. gives the Braves a perennial MVP candidate in right, but the third outfield spot is an open question at the moment. Getting an everyday player for left field, preferably one that hits from the left side to balance the lineup a bit, should be a priority especially given that Acuna Jr. will probably miss at least the first six weeks of the season while he recovers. Going into Opening Day with a slapdash outfield wouldn't exactly be ideal for a team with World Series aspirations.
Pretty straightforward, right? Just go get an outfielder and problem solved. Well, not exactly. The problem with this plan is that there are a number of playoff contenders with the same need and the supply of desirable options that are readily available leaves a lot to be desired.
Looking at how the Braves lineup might look before and after Acuña returns may give you a better feel for what the Braves’ most significant need should be https://t.co/PBIa2F9OCs
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 19, 2024
Outfield supply and demand problem this offseason is likely giving the Braves headaches this offseason
Let's start with the outfield market itself. Juan Soto was in a tier by himself and the Braves were never going to pay what would be required to sign him. Along with Soto, Teoscar Hernandez, Tyler O'Neill, Max Kepler, Mike Tauchman, and Michael Conforto among others have all signed new contracts so they are out. Among who is left available, Anthony Santander is the best player, but he both is going to be pricey and also has a qualifying offer attached which like takes him out of the equation as well.
That leaves the list of "best" remaining available outfielders looking something like Jurickson Profar, Alex Verdugo, Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk, Jesse Winker, Austin Hays, Mark Canha, Dylan Carlson, and then a lot of guys that look more like stopgap options. Certainly not an ideal list, but there are productive players there and several of whom hit from the left side which is nice.
However, the lack of depth in the outfield market has been met with a high level of demand from motivated buyers. The Astros have been pursuing a lefty hitting outfielder very publicly as well this offseason and playoff contenders such as the Phillies, Royals, and Tigers could all use an upgrade in the outfield to varying degrees as well. You combined those teams with teams like the Blue Jays and Angels who have been aggressively trying to upgrade their rosters and who are also involved in the outfield market and you have a ton of competition for the best names.
What will define this offseason for the Braves will be how successful they are in navigating this crowded outfield market. Whether it is successfully luring one of the better names into the fold or finding a bargain they can live with and using their remaining resources to address other areas of roster, there are multiple paths to a successful offseason here. However, with that are also paths that could be disastrous especially with so many other teams around to screw up the Braves' best-laid plans.