Looking back at Atlanta's 2025 offseason, it is easy to become frustrated with the struggling franchise. Any casual fan could tell the Braves were in need of bullpen help, rotation depth, and bench upgrades. Despite this, Atlanta's lone move was signing a player who would play only three games before being suspended. Not only did the Braves opt not to spend on new talent, but the team would also lose Jorge Soler, Charlie Morton, A.J. Minter, Travis d'Arnaud, and most notably, starter Max Fried.
Atlanta opting not only to part ways with key pieces but to not reinforce areas of concern was a giant red flag. This is a roster that limped into the 2024 playoffs, needing the final day of the season to fight their way in. Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. weren't going to be ready to start the season. Even if both players returned, the team clearly needed to improve its limited depth. Jurickson Profar was a step in this direction; however, even if the suspension never happens, it doesn't fix the bullpen or bottom of the rotation woes.
Atlanta's Thrifty Offseason is the Clear Culprit in Anemic Start to 2025 Season
The reasons why Atlanta's front office shouldn't be blamed for this are incredibly clear. This is the exact same regime that has made an offseason push anytime they were allowed to spend. It appears clear that ownership valued making more money over giving the franchise an improved chance to win. While the team watched the Dodgers come off a World Series win and continue to spend top dollar, their takeaway from an underwhelming 2024 season was to sit back and hope for better health.
To be fair, with improved injury luck this team is more than capable of making a postseason push. Where things grow a bit darker is considering their current postseason chances without Profar and their current bullpen concerns. It isn't as if the team needed to spend on top free agents to start the season out on a better foot and have a better chance against the league's top teams.
Adding bench and bullpen depth isn't incredibly costly in comparison to the money Atlanta makes with a great season. Opting not to value this has cost the team and will continue to do so. Hopefully, it serves as a lesson to Atlanta's front office that their current strategy isn't working. Atlanta's window to contend is wide open, demanding that ownership be willing to spend what it takes to give this team another chance at a World Series run.