With the Atlanta Braves just a week out from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, the time for debates for who belongs on the Opening Day roster and who doesn't are soon to follow.
Of course, as it goes every season, the discussion for who played their way onto the roster and who didn't can't be had without considering whether the players in question have minor league options remaining or not.
As of now, the club has seven players who are fighting for roster spots that are out of options starting this season. If the Braves decide they aren't worthy of an Opening Day roster spot, they'll likely find themselves designated for assignment.
7 Braves players who are out of minor league options going into the 2025 season
The Braves have two pitchers fighting for a spot into the rotation coming into spring training who are out of options. Ian Anderson, who hasn't pitched in the bigs since 2022. After missing 2023 with Tommy John surgery, Anderson began his minor league rehab in June. He had a 4.30 ERA in 52.1 AAA innings, but still struggled with command.
Grant Holmes is the other starting pitcher out of options. Although he didn't debut until last season, the righty had run out of options while he was still with the Oakland Athletics organization. Holmes had pitched well after being called up in June, pitching 68.1 innings with a 3.56 ERA and 1.2 fWAR.
Angel Perdomo is the other pitcher on the 40-man roster who can't be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers. Perdomo was in the Braves organization the entire season last year, but was recovering from Tommy John. He'll be in the mix for one of the last bullpen spots.
In addition to the three pitchers out of options, the Braves also have four position players who could find themselves in DFA limbo.
The first is backup catcher Chadwick Tromp. After Atlanta decided to move on from Travis d'Arnaud, Tromp became the top option to backup Sean Murphy. Bearing a shocking move, Tromp should expect to find himself on the 26-man roster on March 27.
Nick Allen was acquired by the Braves at the start of the offseason and will be auditioning for the backup infielder spot that is so seldom used by the team. Luke Williams is another infielder fighting for that position who is out of options. Williams appeared in 37 games last season for Atlanta.
Lastly, Eli White, who had a nice run as the backup outfielder, enters spring optionless. White had a nice 35 game run last season for the Braves, slashing .282/.333/.436 (113 OPS+) in 42 plate appearances. With Ronald Acuña Jr. beginning the season on the IL, White could easily sneak onto the Opening Day roster as an extra outfielder.
The Braves' Rule 5 picks
While these players aren't out of options, they will need to make the 26-man roster and stay there the entire season due to their statuses as Rule 5 picks. If either doesn't make the team out of spring training, they will need to be offered back to their original team for $50,000.
Christian Cairo, who was selected from the Guardians, will compete with Nick Allen as the backup infielder. Cairo doesn't have much to offer with the bat, but has played every position except for pitcher and catcher in the minors.
Anderson Pilar was the other Rule 5 pick. The righty is a hard throwing reliever who put up a 2.64 ERA in 58 minor league innings last season. While the high-leverage innings are covered, Pilar could easily stay on the roster as one of the last men in the pen.
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