This is not a good sign for the Braves offseason

The Braves have a lot to do this offseason to get the roster back to where it needs to be to compete for a playoff berth and World Series title.

Alex Anthopoulos needs to address every area of the roster. The outfield, designated hitter, and infield all need upgrades or reinforcements. The pitching staff requires a complete overhaul, especially with recent injuries to A.J. Smith-Shawver and Grant Holmes. The current rotation features three arms — Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Chris Sale — each carrying significant injury concerns. At least two proven starters are needed to stabilize the group.

The bullpen isn’t in much better shape. At minimum, the Braves must find a closer and a reliable high-leverage lefty to patch a relief corps that has been a liability all season.

Simply put, this roster needs a reset. And if you ask Alex Anthopoulos, the work has already begun. Rather than treating the trade deadline like a traditional sell-off, the Braves’ president of baseball operations approached it as an early start to the offseason.

I asked Alex Anthopoulos if the events of this season and quiet trade deadline have the #Braves FO focused on pivotal winter ahead:

"I viewed (trade deadline) as our offseason started now. That's really the approach that we took."

I'll have more from this soon.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 31, 2025

It makes sense from the perspective that the Braves are going to compete for a postseason berth in 2026. There’s no sense in completely tearing it down. Hell, I could understand buying at the trade deadline if it improved future teams.

Alex Anthopoulos even acquired an interesting relief arm in Tyler Kinley from the Rockies. His surface numbers aren’t inspiring: a 5.66 ERA over 49 appearances. But from the Braves’ perspective, Kinley’s 4.14 FIP suggests he’s had some bad luck with Colorado, and his peripherals are encouraging too.

The Braves’ decision not to trade Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, and any other player with multiple years of team control makes sense too if they think all of them will help the 2026 club.

But that thinking doesn’t make sense for guys like Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias, who are on expiring deals. I have a hard time believing nobody was interested in Iglesias, and I have an even harder time believing the Braves believe he’s the closer of the future.

If the trade deadline was any indication of the offseason, this winter is going to be really boring for Braves fans.

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Photo:David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

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