Election Day is a fitting time to sort through the Braves’ offseason wish list, because there are plenty of decisions that need votes before the 2027 season begins.
Start with the outfield, where Atlanta has to figure out how much it wants to lean into right-handed help. Jurickson Profar’s second PED suspension only sharpened the issue, and Austin Riley’s extended struggles made the need even more obvious.
The Braves could use a strong right-handed bat, and both Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki would fit that description for Atlanta and several other clubs. If their price climbs beyond what the Braves want to spend, switch-hitting Ian Happ could serve as a fallback option.
Mike Yastrzemski is another name in the mix, especially if Atlanta pairs him with a platoon partner. His start was slow, but after May 11 he posted a .768 OPS, and only 22 of his plate appearances came against lefties. That kind of production may be enough if the Braves believe Riley will bounce back and supply the right-handed punch they need elsewhere in the lineup.
The rotation may be the biggest question of all. Chris Sale, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder are the only internal arms who can reasonably be projected as dependable rotation pieces for the full 2027 season.
Even if Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are healthy enough to pitch at some point next year, their days as effective starters might already be behind them. Didier Fuentes and AJ Smith-Shawver are the two higher-upside options.
Fuentes could be brought into the rotation with an innings cap in the 120-130 range, while Smith-Shawver looked more like a one-inning arm this year, though he could still settle in as a starter with more distance from Tommy John surgery. Joey Wentz, JR Ritchie and No. 10 prospect Owen Murphy would add depth.
If Fuentes is in the rotation, the Braves may only need one starter. That brings the list down to some familiar names.
Freddy Peralta rebuilt his market after the Mets traded him to the Rays. Michael King is set for a payday after turning down the two years and $53 million he would have received had he not opted out of his Padres deal.
Clay Holmes had success with Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner in New York. Trevor Rogers is a fit for any team that thinks he can rediscover the changeup he used in 2025.
Sonny Gray makes more sense if a team is not handing out a multi-year deal to a 37-year-old pitcher.
Tyler Mahle, though, may be the cleanest fit for both sides. He was already adjusting his pitch mix before arriving in Atlanta, and he took another step once he got there by cutting back even more on his cutter usage. The result was real success with the Braves, and there would be plenty of people happy to see the 32-year-old back in the clubhouse next year.
The bullpen is another area where Atlanta will have to make choices. Adrian Morejon, David Bednar, Raisel Iglesias and Brent Suter are all part of the conversation as the Braves rebuild that group.
Ray Kerr’s postseason showing gives the team reason to believe he could become a high-leverage option if needed, though he could also wind up helping fill a rotation spot. If that happens, Atlanta would need to add multiple relievers this winter.
Then there’s Ronald Acuña Jr., and that question comes with a much bigger spotlight: should the Braves trade him?
His $17 million option for 2027 has already been exercised, and his contract also includes one more $17 million option for 2028. The issue is what he looks like from here.
Is he the player who put up a .997 OPS over his final 26 regular-season games this year? Or will the two surgically repaired knees keep limiting him and drag down his value?
Acuña would only be moved for a major return, and that kind of package probably would not be there next winter, when any team would be getting only one season of control. That makes the idea worth at least considering. Still, his strong September served as a fresh reminder that he can still change a game when he’s right.
In Other News...
Braves Defense Just Earned A National Stamp Of Approval
Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubn gave the Braves a little extra shine on the national awards stage, earning Rawlings Gold Glove honors for their work in the 2026 season. Olson was recognized again at first base, while Dubn was honored for his all-around defensive value as a utility player, a reminder that Atlantas best teams tend to be built on more than just the bats that usually grab the headlines.
The recognition also says something about the way the Braves have been able to stack quality defenders across the roster. It marked the first time a pair of Atlanta players took home Gold Gloves in the same year since 2022, a small but meaningful sign that the clubs defensive reputation is still very much intact. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Enter A Crucial Week As One Young Outfielder Heats Up
The Braves are heading into a pivotal stretch with free agency opening Monday at 5 p.m. EST, and the front office is set to watch several familiar names test the market. Mauricio Dubon, Raisel Iglesias and Tyler Mahle are among the players who will be available, adding another layer of uncertainty to an offseason that already figures to demand some careful roster balancing. There was at least some good news on the awards front, with Matt Olson and Dubon both recently earning Gold Glove recognition.
Amid all that major-league business, one of the organizations younger outfielders is drawing attention in the Arizona Fall League. Isaiah Drake has put together a strong run there, including a week that featured multiple hits and a home run, and it is the kind of performance that can help a prospect keep his name in the conversation as the winter moves along. For a club sorting through both present-day decisions and future depth, that kind of surge is worth noting. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Are Making An Aggressive Push At One Thin Position
The Braves have been busy trying to shore up one of the thinnest spots in their system, and the latest move shows how seriously they view the task. Atlanta added a young catcher from Cuba in international free agency, continuing a broader effort that has already included multiple catchers through the 2023 draft and other international signings as the organization looks to build real depth behind its current catching prospects.
Anthony Calderon is still only 17, but the Braves are clearly betting on the upside in his bat and glove. He brings a reputation for power, hitting ability and defense, and the clubs willingness to commit significant bonus money to him underscores how aggressively it is chasing help at a position that can take years to develop. [Read more 🡒]