Overall, the Atlanta Braves had a really nice offseason going into the 2024 season. They needed to add a starting pitcher and they grabbed Chris Sale for the job. Replacing Eddie Rosario in left field was a priority as well and the Braves swung a trade for Jarred Kelenic who is just loaded with upside. Bullpen depth is always welcome for any team and they brought back Pierce Johnson and Joe Jimenez while adding Reynaldo Lopez (who may also help out in the rotation) and Aaron Bummer.
One can quibble over who the Braves should have added in terms of the exact names, but there is no arguing that Atlanta didn't try to check every box they need to check going into spring training. This is a team that has won over 100 games in back-to-back seasons and somehow looks, on paper, like they could be even better in 2024. However, there were some moves that happened elsewhere in the league that definitely did not help the Braves' cause going into this coming season.
Below, you find a few of the moves from this offseason by other teams that hurt the Braves' 2024 chances the most. To be considered, the moves had to be made by teams that could realistically contend with the Braves that could end up being impact moves. Put another way, a lot of teams made moves to make their teams better, but a sub-.500 team making a move for a quality player that might give them a chance at a winning record doesn't move the needle here.
With that said, here are the three moves that could prove painful for the Braves in 2024.
Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola was brutal for Atlanta
This one is a double-whammy because it first involves the team that has sent the Braves home in back-to-back postseasons in the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are undoubtedly a strong team especially in a short playoff series and when one of their best pitchers hit free agency in Aaron Nola, it had the potential to be a big setback for Philly if he was going to be playing elsewhere in 2024 and beyond. Sadly, that was not to be as the Phillies were able to re-sign Nola on a seven year deal and Philly now looks like they will continue to be a thorn in the Braves' side going forward.
Making matters worse, Atlanta actually made a concerted effort to try and steal Nola for themselves this offseason. Rumor has it that the Braves had a six year, $162 million offer on the table for the 30 year old righty this offseason and he still decided to re-up with the Phillies instead. Adding Nola would have meant that the Braves would have a key rotation spot filled for the foreseeable future while also weakening a division rival in one fell swoop without having to hope that Chris Sale will stay on the mound.
Perhaps Nola was always going to end up back with Philly and the Braves were just making sure that the Phillies had to pay up to keep him. However, the fact remains that Atlanta had to look elsewhere to address their rotation while Philly got to keep the top of their rotation intact.