LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Braves exited the Winter Conferences with the identical major questions that surrounded them at the beginning of this annual three-day occasion. How may they strengthen their rotation? And, will they add one other key bat?
A type of questions was answered a number of hours after the Conferences ended. The Braves added to the flexibility of their roster by signing veteran outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million deal. Yastrzemski will function a fourth outfielder, whose presence will give supervisor Walt Weiss an opportunity to frequently relaxation every of his outfielders through the use of them because the DH or by merely giving them extra off-days than they’ve had over the previous few years.
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos acquired Jarred Kelenic on the eve of the 2023 Winter Conferences. However whereas in his present function with Atlanta, Anthopoulos hasn’t historically been energetic throughout this annual gathering of the sport’s resolution makers. That’s to not say conversations had over the previous few days gained’t result in a transfer or strikes over the following few days or even weeks.
Here’s a have a look at the place the Braves stand.
1. Beginning pitching: When Anthopoulos and Weiss spoke to the media this week, it was clear pitching is the highest precedence. There’s seemingly a necessity so as to add insurance coverage to a rotation that has a number of health-related considerations. It’s nice that Grant Holmes (proper elbow irritation) and Reynaldo López (arthroscopic shoulder surgical procedure) are feeling good. However after seeing six completely different pitchers miss no less than 5 weeks due to accidents this previous 12 months, there’s cause for the Braves to proceed monitoring prime free brokers like Zac Gallen, even with the understanding signing him would value them the twenty sixth total choose in subsequent summer time’s MLB Draft.
With Anthopoulos saying Joe Jiménez’s left knee situation prevents the staff from counting on him to be a setup man subsequent 12 months, including a high-leverage reliever now appears to presumably be a fair better necessity. This could possibly be why MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has reported the Braves have proven curiosity in Robert Suarez.
The Braves even have the choice to maneuver López again to the bullpen to presumably function Raisel Iglesias’ setup man. However the present plan is for López to work as a starter throughout Spring Coaching. With López’s proper shoulder points, the staff doesn’t wish to decide to him being a reliever earlier than presumably stretching him again out through the season. It’s simpler to go the opposite manner if needed.
Anthopoulos and Weiss each have stated they’re nice with the likelihood Mauricio Dubón would be the staff’s on a regular basis shortstop. A choice may not be made till Ha-Seong Kim chooses his subsequent employer. And Kim’s market isn’t anticipated to completely materialize till after Bo Bichette indicators.
If the Braves go along with Dubón, they’d seemingly must improve their offense with the addition of a flexible outfielder who additionally could possibly be among the many staff’s many choices for the designated hitter function.
If Kim finally ends up being the shortstop, Dubón’s versatility would give Weiss an opportunity to provide all his regulars some relaxation by routinely putting them within the DH spot. However even in his most efficient seasons, Kim hasn’t essentially been the difference-making hitter the Braves might use to assist exchange the manufacturing that was anticipated from Marcell Ozuna in 2025.
But when Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies every bounce again in 2026, the Braves may need sufficient offense no matter whether or not Kim or Dubón is their shortstop.
Weiss’ first massive league supervisor was Tony La Russa and his final was Bobby Cox. Together with being blessed to have been influenced by these two Corridor of Fame skippers, he counts Reggie Jackson, Dave Parker, Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz among the many legends he referred to as teammates throughout his 14-season taking part in profession.
“There’s some issues to fall again on, however on the finish of the day, it is received to be me with my voice and my contact,” Weiss stated. “I perceive that. However I’ve realized loads from all these individuals I have been round — from Tony to start with to [Brian Snitker], and all people in between. I’ll take a bit bit from all of them. However on the finish of the day, it may be my voice. So, it will be me, and it will be completely different from anyone else that I have been round.”
The Braves had been assured one of many first 9 spots within the 2026 MLB Draft. So, there wasn’t a lot cause to have a good time after they ended up with the ninth total choice through the Lottery course of. This might be their highest choice since 2019, after they took catcher Shea Langeliers with the ninth total choose.
“I wouldn’t say there’s one factor that we’re targeted on, saying, ‘That is the one factor we have to do,’” stated Anthopoulos. “If you don’t make the playoffs and end under .500, there are quite a lot of areas the place you may enhance.”
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