The Braves scaled back spending this offseason, but still brought in an All-Star outfielder and a lot of depth options to bolster the roster.
Major League Signings
- Jurickson Profar, OF: Three years, $42MM
- Alex Verdugo, OF: One year, $1.5MM
- Bryan De La Cruz, OF: One year split contract, $860K prorated salary for time on active roster
- Carlos Rodriguez, OF: One year split contract
- Connor Gillispie, RHP: One year split contract (later lost on waivers to Marlins)
2025 spending: $13.5MM
Total spending: $43.5MM
Option Decisions
- Exercised $16MM club option on DH Marcell Ozuna
- Declined $8MM club option on C Travis d'Arnaud
- Declined $7MM club option on RP Luke Jackson ($2MM buyout)
Trades & Claims
- Acquired RHP Griffin Canning from Angels for OF/DH Jorge Soler (Canning was later non-tendered)
- Acquired SS Nick Allen from Athletics for minor league RP Jared Johnson
- Acquired RHP Davis Daniel from Angels for minor league LHP Mitch Farris
- Acquired cash considerations or a player to be named later from Angels for RP Angel Perdomo
- Claimed RHP Amos Willingham off waivers from Nationals
- Claimed RHP Royber Salinas off waivers from Athletics (Salinas later non-tendered but re-signed on a new minors contract)
- Claimed RHP Anderson Pilar from Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft (later returned to Miami)
- Claimed SS Christian Cairo from Guardians in the Rule 5 Draft (later returned to Cleveland)
Notable Minor League Signings
- Craig Kimbrel, Hector Neris, James McCann, Buck Farmer, Jake Marisnick, Chasen Shreve, Garrett Cooper, Chad Kuhl, Dylan Covey, Jordan Weems, Dany Jimenez, Ray Kerr, Enyel De Los Santos, Matthew Batten, Conner Capel, Wander Suero, Enoli Paredes, Eddy Alvarez, Charles Leblanc, Jose Devers, Zach Thompson, Brian Moran, Kolton Ingram, Chandler Seagle, Jake Diekman (released), Curt Casali (released)
Extensions
- Reynaldo Lopez, SP: Three years, $30MM (overwrote Lopez's previous contract, adding a guaranteed 2027 season and $4MM more in guaranteed money)
- Aaron Bummer, RP: Two years, $13MM
Notable Losses
- Soler, d'Arnaud, Jackson, Canning, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez, Ramon Laureano, Gio Urshela, Tyler Matzek, Allan Winans, John Brebbia, Cavan Biggio, Eddie Rosario, Huascar Ynoa
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos traditionally makes several moves early in the offseason, and he got a particularly quick jump on things this winter by trading Jorge Soler to the Angels less than 24 hours after the World Series ended. Since exercising Marcell Ozuna's club option was a no-brainer, Soler became redundant in Atlanta's lineup, and an obvious trade candidate. Because return piece Griffin Canning was eventually non-tendered, the deal became a pure salary dump, as the Halos took the remaining $26MM of Soler's contract off the Braves' hands.
The Braves also moved quickly in signing Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer to contract extensions, though since the players were already controlled (Lopez via a previous extension and Bummer via club options), the new deals were more about reshuffling some money and creating some space under the luxury tax. More payroll space was freed up when the Braves declined club options on Travis d'Arnaud and Luke Jackson, and when arbitration-eligibles Ramon Laureano, Cavan Biggio, and Huascar Ynoa were all let go.
All of these moves indicated that Anthopoulos was preparing for another transaction that would cost his team a significant chunk of money. It took a couple of months for that next step to happen, but Atlanta finally struck in signing Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42MM deal. Profar will now line up as the Braves' everyday left fielder, bringing some stability to an outfield that will still be without Ronald Acuna Jr. until likely sometime in May, as Acuna recovers from his torn ACL.
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I’m not really buying into the Jurickson Profar resurgence. I believe he’s played parts of 10+ MLB seasons and has had a couple decent years, but that hardly warrants a $40M+ guarantee in my honest opinion.
I think this actually may be Scott Boras’ finest work, because Juan Soto was looking at $700M+ no matter who represented him. I actually hope I’m wrong about Profar but I haven’t seen enough that would make me guarantee him $40M+.
@mlbfan: Boras doesn’t represent Profar. He dropped Boras 2/12/24 and changed to MVP Sports Group, the same agency that represents Machado and Tatis Jr. Tatis Sr re-worked Profar’s setup and swing before last season. The Braves believe that the swing change implemented during Profar’s work w/Tatis Sr led to Profar’s improved results in 2024 and that Profar can maintain that success.
I stand corrected. Thanks. His agents did him a real solid in my opinion. His year to year inconsistency makes him a 1/$8M guy in my book. He’s not someone I’d commit to for even a medium term.
@mlb He has been a year to year guy. This is him now cashing in off performing on a prove himself deal.
I do understand tho why you are hesitant to believe he ll continue to perform.
If he doesn’t forget his swing it’s a bargain of a contract.
The Braves’ FO had to go for a collective MRI after all the high-fiving following the Soler salary dump.
Ah, Angels. Never change.
The Braves will have the top rotation in baseball, with SSS at the top. The offense will depend on Profar and Acuna staying healthy. I’m not very optimistic, but I can safely say the Phillies nor the Mets are better.
@Trade: Riley, Olson, and Harris II are going to be just as important to the offense as Profar and Acuna.
We already know what those three guys above are capable of. Profar is a question mark and Acuna is Acuna. I’m glad you didn’t mention Albies though being important. Terrible hitter.
Albies will put up league average stats (100 wRC+ or better) w/good counting numbers—-25 plus homers, 90 plus rbi—-in the lower 3rd of the order. Plenty good enough if he can play close to average defense (less chance of that). MLB players voted him in the top 100 of ML players. Yeah he was the 100th, but his peers might be better judges of his value than you.
they wont even have the best rotation in the nl east let alone baseball.
Not sure about the top rotation in MLB…top five yes. Top three offense. My questions about the Braves are the bullpen… didn’t replace Jimenez or Minter. Lots of minor league deals trying to strike gold to fill those spots..too many questions….
Was a good reliever class of free agents.
It’s the best way to fill out the bullpen. Analytics suggest that spending tons of money on the bullpen, especially on non-closers doesn’t lead to significantly more success than picking up middle relievers off of the trash heap. The Braves high leverage guys are going to be Iglesias, Johnson, Lee and Bummer, with Daysbel Hernandez getting some high leverage inning. It wouldn’t shock me if Waldrep officially gets converted to bullpen duty because of command issues, but had the stuff to be extremely effective over an inning or 2. Outside of those guys, yours just as likely to strike gold covering the middle innings on the waiver wire as you are giving someone like Luke Jackson $2 million
Fowl – Analytics has been conclusively proven wrong about relief pitcher spending.
A stud shutdown closer and setup guy is more valuable than anything. You know why? It puts all the pressure on the other team to not fall behind going into the 8th.
Because when the closer and setup guy do their job, which is usually protecting a late inning lead, it’s a guaranteed win.
No starting pitcher or position player can say the same.
You analyzed the analytics!!
Notice how I specifically mentioned non-closers in my post? The Braves already have a shutdown closer and several reliable setup men, which is why I pointed out how ridiculous it is to complain about the the Braves bullpen how how they’ve chosen to fill roles in middle relief. But no, analytics haven’t been proven wrong on spending little to money on low leverage relievers. Their fluctuations from year to year make investing large contracts in term or money really not smart.
Well…., other than Profar I guess we had one other really good move this offseason and that was removing Luke Jackson from the team. He was the knife that Stitker would always bring out to the gunfight. So this should be at least a 3 to 4 win move. now Snitker will have to find a new knife.
Maintaining Elite Offensive Power:
The Braves’ offensive core remains a significant strength. They have focused on maintaining this, which is a sound strategy. There were not any significant additions to the offense.
Grade: B
Pitching Staff Depth:
The Braves have made moves to address pitching depth, particularly in the bullpen. They have made some solid additions. The starting rotation has remained mostly the same.
Grade: B+
Defensive Stability:
The Braves are generally a strong defensive team. Their focus is on maintaining this level of performance.
Grade: B+
Roster Flexibility:
The Braves have made moves to maintain roster flexibility and depth, which is a positive.
Grade: B+
Overall Evaluation:
The Braves’ offseason reflects a focus on maintaining their status as a top contender. Overall, they would likely receive a grade in the B+ range.
A realistic win projection for the Braves would be in the 90-97 win range.
Most projections have them at 93 wins—-2nd best projection in the NL behind the Dodgers at 103.
When one loses 2 starting pitchers, and 2 great relievers….one to free agency and one to injury, and replaces them with castoffs from other teams hoping to find a genie in a bottle, well…last time I checked hope is not a strategy. And through multiple injuries last year necessitating rushing pitchers to the majors who still aren’t difference makers….i dunno. And to say they at the beginning of the winter they weren’t constrained by budget concerns, the proof is what was done money wise to try to improve the club. I respect people in the organization, but I don’t get on board with disingenuous statements.