The Atlanta Braves had a lot of work to do last offseason and to their credit, they made a lot of good decisions. However, they also didn't make moves that would have helped them navigate some of the issues they currently face.
Let's rank every offseason move made by the Braves' front office ahead of the 2026 season based on how they're performing now.
Ranking the Braves’ moves last offseason from worst to best ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline
12. Ha-Seong Kim
Kim was considered a very important piece this offseason. He looked great for the Braves at the end of 2025, but a finger injury sidelined him at the start of 2026. When he returned, things went completely sideways. Atlanta's $20 million man has been one of the worst hitters in baseball with a .068 average over 73 at-bats. Kim has looked good during his rehab assignment, but he may have lost his spot to Jim Jarvis.
11. Joel Payamps
Payamps showed some promise at the end of last season, but he was terrible in 2026. The righty reliever had an 8.22 ERA over 7.2 innings. He was outrighted to Triple-A at the beginning of May, and on the surface he's been decent with a 3.74 ERA. However, over his last seven games, Payamps has a10.80 ERA over five innings.
10. Jonah Heim
Heim was a nice pickup for Atlanta after Sean Murphy hit the IL again. Unfortunately, when Murph briefly returned, Heim was sent packing. It was too long after Murph returned that he landed back on the IL. Heim wasn't anything special, but it would have been nice to still have him after the injury. He's hit eight homers with the A's since being traded.
9. Danny Young
Young was signed before the season, but was immediately on the IL as he recovered from elbow surgery. He's since returned and has been decent with a 3.18 ERA over 5.2 innings. He's been a nice lefty addition to the bullpen, but he's not going to blow the doors off anyone.
8. Dominic Smith
Smith started the season really hot and looked like a revelation. He's since tanked heavily and has a .192 average over his last 30 games. The lefty hasn't hit a homer during that span, with nine walks and 12 strikeouts. The walk numbers are still decent, but he's not been nearly as clutch.
7. Jorge Mateo
Mateo took an unexpected starting role after injuries to Ha-Seong Kim and Ronald Acuna Jr. struck. Dubon took to the outfield and Mateo to the infield. He played great defense and was great at the plate for a while. He isn't hitting the ball as well now, but he's still a good bench piece to have.
6. Tyler Kinley
Kinley was another reclamation project from the Rockies last season, and he turned things around fast once he got to Atlanta. Unfortunately, his slider hasn't been nearly as effective this season. It's a big reason he has a 4.11 ERA over 35 innings. But when he's on, it's easy to see why the Braves brought him back.
5. Mike Yastrzemski
Yaz was a nice addition to the roster and looked like a great choice early on. He ran into some struggles, but has started to turn things around. An elbow injury before the All-Star break interrupted him, but Yastrzemski returned recently. The lefty has been a good teammate, and when he's at his best, it's fun to watch.
4. Martin Perez
Perez wasn't expected to be a big part of the rotation, but injuries forced him into that role. He's done an admirable job for the most part. However, that success has dwindled slightly. But his overall numbers have been good, with a 3.38 ERA, 36 walks, and 65 strikeouts over 85.1 innings.
3. Raisel Iglesias
Iglesias continues to defy the odds as one of the best closers in baseball. Iggy has a 2.57 ERA, seven walks, and 40 strikeouts. It's wild to see just how low his walk total is this year. The righty still has some issues with homers at times, but he's making a great case to return for one more season after this.
2. Mauricio Dubon
Atlanta's trade of Nick Allen to the Astros netted them one of the best utility players in baseball. Dubon immediately made his impact felt with great defense and a sudden power stroke. He's already matched his career-high in homers at 10 this season, along with a .264 average, 21 doubles, 53 RBI, and .730 OPS. He, like other offensive players, has cooled a bit, but he's been consistently one of Atlanta's most clutch hitters.
1. Robert Suarez
Suarez is easily the best acquisition of the offseason, as proven by his 0.56 ERA over 32 innings, with six walks and 26 strikeouts. The righty has looked absolutely dominant on the mound with his outlier fastball leading the way. He's unfortunately on the IL right now with right forearm tightness, so as long as he's able to return, this move looks like one of AA's best decisions. It sure doesn't hurt that Suarez is under control through 2028 and is pretty clearly the heir at closer once Iglesias is done in the role.
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