The Atlanta Braves have been pretty lucky to not have to replace a huge chunk of their team every offseason. However, this offseason, the Braves have a tall task in front of them as they have a good bit of players reaching free agency.
Most of the free agents are position players which shouldn't be surprising with how much Atlanta had to shuffle in players due to injuries in 2024. However, there are a few pitchers listed who will leave pretty big holes on the roster.
Let's examine all of the free agents Atlanta will need to consider this offseason.
Braves have a plethora of players reaching free agency after the 2024 season concludes
Max Fried
One of the biggest Braves free agents is left-handed ace Max Fried. Fried has been a staple in the Atlanta rotation for years and it's strange to imagine him leaving it. Unfortunately, that may be the case in 2025. The Braves have been unable to reach an extension with Fried this season and there's reason to believe he may not return.
Fans would be happy to see him return but the cost to keep him in Atlanta could be too steep. Max will be 31 years old next season so he will likely be looking for a contract that lasts five or six years. He also could ask for an AAV of around $30 million per season as the cost of quality starting pitching has skyrocketed in recent years.
Charlie Morton
It's been a bit of an up-and-down season for the 40-year-old veteran, Charlie Morton. He turns 41 before next season. Morton hasn't announced that he's retiring once the season ends but many believe this is his final season. He's been inconsistent for the Braves in 2024 but has provided the team with quality innings for the most part.
Morton has a 4.08 ERA through 29 games and 161 innings. He has 63 walks along with 164 punch outs. His curveball is still one of the best in baseball and his clubhouse presence is invaluable. If he were to call it quits after this season, it would cap an incredible 15-year journey for one of baseball's best human beings.
AJ Minter
It's strange to think that AJ Minter has reached free agency. He's been a huge part of the Braves bullpen since 2017 and helped the "Night Shift" lead the team to a World Series title in 2021. There have been ups and downs for Minter over the years but his career ERA of 3.28 with 123 walks and 422 strikeouts is impressive.
He would be an easy piece to add back into the mix and he fits with this clubhouse. He struggled with hip problems this year and was shut down in May to rest it. He returned to the bullpen in July and still didn't look right. AJ wasn't able to complete the season as he ended 2024 early with a hip injury that required surgery in August. His ERA this season was 2.62 with 11 walks and 35 strikeouts. So, there are injury concerns to consider before signing with him but there's a high likelihood he returns in 2025.