Heading into the 2024 season, the Atlanta Braves were favorites to capture the World Series title. However, in the words of Micahel Scott, "Well, well, well, how the turntables."
Thanks to a perfect-storm combination of injuries and underperformance, the Atlanta Braves have found themselves in a battle with their division rivals the New York Mets for the last NL playoff spot. At this point, a National League Wild Card bid is the only hope for Brian Snitker's club to take the field in October.
While many of the factors that led to the Braves' disappointing season could not have been avoided, some could have. If Atlanta wants to make sure they don't find themselves in the same boat again next season, Alex Anthopoulos and the front office must address these three areas.
3 things the Atlanta Braves must address in the offseason to prevent another disappointing season
Starting pitching has to remain one of Atlanta's strengths
If there has been one bright spot in the Atlanta Braves season, it has been starting pitching. Chris Sale is the front-runner for the National League Cy Young Award and has even been mentioned in MVP discussion. Reynaldo Lopez when he's been healthy has been great. Max Fried has been shaky at times by his standards but is still a force to be reckoned with. Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach has shown tremendous upside and has provided hope for the future of the rotation. So why target starting pitching?
Where would the Braves be without trading for Chris Sale?
— Flippin' Bats Podcast (@FlippinBatsPod) September 12, 2024
Certainly not the playoffs
“The Chris Sale trade with the Red Sox is one of the more underrated trades ever.” - @BenVerlander
Full convo 🎧: https://t.co/Dfog2EZXPs pic.twitter.com/TIVyMsEwph
Well with each passing day, it seems more likely that Max Fried will leave Atlanta in free agency. Chris Sale will be 36 years of age next season in his 15th year and has a reputation for visiting the IL quite often. 2024 is likely the last year of Charlie Morton's career and Reynaldo Lopez is a reliever turned starter who has thrived this season. But he still may be a bit of a question mark for the future.
Although the Braves will return superstar Spencer Strider to their starting rotation next year, it feels like for them to be a World Series contender, they must bring in reinforcements to take care of any uncertainties.