The Atlanta Braves are unquestionably going to need to make a series of drastic moves this offseason after 2025 turned into a dumpster fire of a season. The lack of consistency in the lineup and depth issues in the bullpen and rotation were quickly exposed, leaving the Braves no choice but to attempt to make big offseason moves to fix the roster. Already, the team has made important moves, bringing back Ozzie Albies and Chris Sale, exercising both team options for key starters.
Looking at potential free agents and trade targets, there is no shortage of blockbuster moves Atlanta could make over the next three months. With this in mind, let's look at three offseason moves that would push Atlanta not only back into the postseason but the World Series conversation. Starting with fixing a position that has haunted the Braves for the last three seasons.
1. Sign Bo Bichette
Yes, you're going to have to overpay for the one great starting shortstop poised to hit free agency in the 2026 offseason. However, you've put yourself in a position where there is no other choice with a bare free agent market and zero actual answers on the current roster. Nick Allen is an incredible defender but a liability at the plate, forcing the Braves to search for an offseason answer in the way of the top free agent.
There isn't another realistic option the Braves can target that would fix so many issues. Adding Bichette instantly solves many of your lineup concerns and takes away an automatic out from the batting order. Not only this, but the infielder has been incredibly consistent offensively, offering a career .294 average and surprisingly productive power numbers. This is a player you can plug into the heart of your lineup and feel good about what he'll provide day in and day out.
Signing Bichette is a move that also sets the tone for the offseason, bringing energy to a fan base and clubhouse that has been frustratingly flat over the last two seasons. It is time to finally spend what a free agent is worth and address a position that you've attempted to solve by raiding the bargain aisles of the trade and free agent markets. Bichette is a long-term answer that bolsters the lineup and instantly makes you a potential contender.
2. Move Reynaldo Lopez to a Restocked Bullpen
The best path forward for Atlanta to fix its current pitching concerns is to steal him from the rotation while continuing to shop the free agent market. The Braves need to slide the injury-prone Lopez back into the bullpen in hopes of stabilizing a struggling unit. So much of the rough start to last season was set up by a failure to bring in reliable relief options. Putting Lopez in the pen while restocking the late-inning arms is the right approach and leaves you one clear hole in the rotation to fill.
Currently, the Braves are heading into 2026 with the expectation that Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Hurston Waldrep will fill out the first four spots in the Atlanta rotation. This is more than enough stability to move Lopez back to the pen, as well as making splashy moves to bring in a closer and setup options.
Raisel Iglesias is slated to hit free agency along with Pierce Johnson, demanding that the Braves attack the position consistently over the next three months to bring in the needed depth.
3. Sign Kyle Tucker
The Braves managing to sign both Tucker and Bichette with a payroll already approaching $200 million is admittedly a stretch. However, this isn't a prediction of what the Braves will do, but rather an analysis of what the franchise should attempt in an incredibly pivotal offseason. There are salary-saving moves to be made, as well as following the path of the Los Angeles Dodgers and rolling money over far into the future.
This is the problem the Braves are up against. They need two impact hitters in this lineup, and there isn't a clear answer within their system. Restocking the bullpen and signing Tucker and Bichette make you a World Series favorite and perhaps the only team in the National League with both the lineup and rotation to go toe-to-toe with the behemoth that is the Dodgers roster.
Regardless, Braves fans would settle for one of Bichette or Tucker, while the shortstop makes the most sense, adding Tucker allows you to platoon the DH spot and protect Ronald Acuña Jr. from consistently playing in the field. The question is simply whether or not ownership would ever consider spending top dollar to chase down Los Angeles.