The Atlanta Braves are nearing a 2026 offseason when almost any option should be on the table. This year's incredible failure is on the shoulders of frustrating veterans, bad front office moves, and unpredictable injuries. All adding up for a reason to view the end of this year as a reason for a major shake-up. Atlanta was out of the playoff hunt shortly after the All-Star break, collapsing in an incredibly frustrating fashion.
Still, there are pieces on this roster that are obviously untouchable. Despite the season full of failures, there are veterans and young building blocks who cannot be considered in potential trades, starting with the face of the Braves who has earned a hefty extension.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr.
It should go without saying that trading your franchise player isn't an option. However, we live in a world where both Mookie Betts and Juan Soto have been dealt in recent league history. Both star outfielders were contributors for World Series-winning teams and the best hitters on their respective rosters. This adds up to a sense of urgency not only for the Braves to make the star comfortable, but to get a needed extension in place.
Acuña has one year left on his deal with club options remaining for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. It would be ideal to hand the outfielder a deserved raise and lock in the face of your franchise through at least the 2030 season. In today's league, every passing game is only going to see a potential extension continue to grow more expensive. Do Acuña and your franchise a favor and go ahead and get it done.
There is a level of fear here that the Braves front office will believe they are outsmarting everyone, considering trading a player who has missed the bulk of two seasons with different knee injuries. However, the MVP's return to the lineup and consistent production hopefully put any thoughts like these firmly out of reach.
2. Chris Sale
Sale is a CY Young award winner with Atlanta in the 2023 season and will be coming off an incredibly strong 2024 season as well. Despite missing a couple of months with a rib injury, the numbers speak for themselves. The veteran has one year remaining on his deal and could be an enticing trade chip as the Braves look to rework the roster. However, there should be zero consideration of putting the lefty anywhere close to the trade market.
Spencer Strider has struggled in the 2024 season, and the rest of the team's rotation has dealt with serious injury concerns. Sale is the only starter Braves fans can pencil in at the top of the rotation and feel confident with the results. Attempting to sell high on an expiring deal might be tempting, but it must remain far out of consideration.
Another piece of this is the edge that the World Series champ brings to the roster. If there was one issue to consistently bring up over the last years, it is a lack of energy and passion on this roster. Something Atlanta needs to work to add more of, not shedding one of the most important tone setters.
3. Michael Harris
Three months ago, it was impossible to argue against the Braves needing to send Harris to Gwinnett to work on a broken swing. One that was solved while Harris was still putting together ugly at-bats in the bottom of the lineup. Harris has enjoyed an incredible second-half surge, hitting .300 after struggling around the Mendoza line in the first months of the season. While this has recently taken a step in the wrong direction, the mechanics and improved at-bats are still present.
Harris has gone from a huge question mark back to an incredibly important piece of the lineup. If his career norms are what can be expected going forward, you have one of the best defensive weapons in the league. Harris plays a brand of center field defense that gives Atlanta fans flashbacks to the days of Andruw Jones.
Even if the offensive production isn't as incredible as it has been in the second half, it is on Atlanta's front office to build a lineup that fits around Harris and allows the center fielder to sit at the bottom of the lineup as an incredible defender with a solid offensive ceiling.
4. Austin Riley
The last player who you hang up the phone the minute he is mentioned is third baseman Austin Riley. Yes, the top-dollar extension hasn't aged well over the last two seasons with inconsistent production and injury-shortened years. However, much of this is due to poor luck and the lineup around the veteran slugger. Riley is a needed cog in this lineup that fits well with the rest of the franchise core. Dealing him now would be moving an incredibly talented player at a career low value.
It isn't something the franchise should consider, and it seems unlikely. Still, there is no denying the level of urgency that this past year has inspired. Consistent failures for a franchise expecting to contend for a World Series have been incredibly frustrating.
Leaving room to hope that rebounding years not only from Harris and Riley but also from an injury-plagued rotation will set the stage to help make offseason improvements work. There simply isn't a reason to consider messing with the core, but a need to improve the bullpen, middle infield, and bench depth in what should be a hectic upcoming offseason.