It is far from unusual to point out just how many issues the Atlanta Braves have to solve over the next weeks. There were several reasons why the Braves were out of the postseason race months before the season ended, including a lack of depth and aging players tanking what was previously believed to be a potential World Series contender.
In other words, it's clear that blockbuster moves and meaningful changes must be found in the 2026 offseason.
Looking at the current roster, it isn't difficult to find the biggest needs. This isn't a group that is one or two moves away from returning to a contender. Atlanta's front office must understand that it is time to open the checkbook and understand the level of spending it takes not only to contend with the Los Angeles Dodgers but also to fix the obvious holes, starting with a group that started the tone for the Braves' early-season implosion.
1. Braves Must Bolster Bullpen's Depth
The early-season seven-game losing streak was set up by a bullpen that simply had zero chance of consistency from the start. The Braves went bargain shopping to fill innings, with closer Raisel Iglesias being the only highly paid option. It seems that going with a dollar store bullpen was always doomed to fail, and fans were pointing out from early in the season. Now, the franchise must be willing to spend what it takes to fix the position.
This is only furthered by the fact that Iglesias is set to hit free agency, leaving the Braves with zero clear options at the back of the bullpen. It isn't as simple as signing one or two great arms; there needs to be four or five impact additions over the next weeks of the offseason. No other position needs the depth or consistent additions that the pen will demand, making it the obvious and first priority.
2. Braves Need a Shortstop Solution
Ha-Seong Kim still hasn't made his decision on whether or not to exercise his player option, and this is going to determine much of what the Braves opt to do at shortstop. Orlando Arcia and Nick Allen have been the primary starting options over the last three years, and the offense has suffered because of it. So much frustration with the lineup is due to a position that is simply giving away outs.
It is very easy to make the argument that this is where a blockbuster signing like Bo Bichette might be ideal. There is reason to wonder if the shortstop might want a fresh landing spot after being pulled from Game 7 and forced to watch the loss from the bench. Regardless, it is clear that a change must be made.
3. Catcher/DH Must Be 1 of Braves' Top Priorities
How the Braves decide to handle their designated hitter and catcher roles is going to, in many ways, define the offseason. Drake Baldwin's bat has to be in the lineup every day; that much is clear. Where things grow a bit uncertain is whether or not it is time to move on from Sean Murphy.
The veteran catcher has struggled mightily over the last two years offensively, and shipping him out of Atlanta makes sense for both catcher and DH jobs. Trading away Murphy saves a bit of salary space that the Braves could use to upgrade the DH position and allow Baldwin to take over the heavy-lifting at catcher.
How this is solved will go a long way in deciding if 2026 is a turnaround or move of the same from a season of frustration, but it's become increasingly clear that Murphy's time with the team has run out.