3 Braves players we wish stayed
Kevin Pillar
The 2024 Atlanta Braves roster is about as stacked as they come. However, if you were to single out one flaw, the questionable bench depth is a conversation to be had. Last season, the Braves had the luxury of having the prototypical fourth outfielder you want each season.
Kevin Pillar filled that role beautifully in 2024, platooning with Rosario often, as well as springing into action anytime Ronald or Michael Harris II had a small nagging injury. For this upcoming season, Pillar is currently fighting for a roster spot with the White Sox.
That leaves a big void in the Braves bench as to who becomes the first outfield option if one of the starters goes down. That may feel like a question mark right now just looking at the roster, but if Forrest Wall continues to slug like he has thus far in the spring, we may not feel so sour about Pillar's departure in 2024.
Michael Tonkin
If you were to survey Braves fans for an unsung hero in 2023, a lot of people would have thrown around Michael Tonkin's name as a suggestion. His numbers weren't even out of this world, but his ability to eat up innings is something that will be missed.
Incredibly, Tonkin pitched 80 innings out of the bullpen last season. Right now, the Braves don't seem to have that clear cut bullpen innings eater, that is unless you consider Jackson Stephens primed to step back into that role.
However, the bullpen is very deep so this of course can change. Especially, if we get down the road and Reynaldo Lopez isn't making any starts, and has morphed into a multi-inning weapon to lean on.
Nicky Lopez
We end with a name that wasn't even a Brave for the full 2023 season. Atlanta acquired Nicky Lopez from the Royals at last year's trade deadline, but man did he immediately fit in. When you talk about building a great bench on a ball club, Lopez would be the exact type player to pop into your mind.
An excellent, versatile glove, Lopez's ability to handle multiple defensive positions and excel at that makes him a coveted player for a lot of teams. I'm sure the Braves would have loved to keep him, but in their aforementioned trade to get Aaron Bummer from Chicago, the White Sox made sure to get Nicky Lopez in that deal.
Whatever Nicky Lopez does offensively is a plus because the defense is the reason he’s in Atlanta.
— Leslie Mines (@LeslieMinesIII) August 17, 2023
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The White Sox were the worst defensive team in baseball last year, so it's no wonder they coveted a player like Lopez for their 2024 squad. Given the state of the Braves bench as currently constructed, many fans will probably feel a little down when turn on the sports highlight shows to see Lopez making web gems in the windy city.