The Atlanta Braves came into the offseason with a few big question marks. They needed to fill out their starting rotation, especially with Max Fried and Charlie Morton entering free agency.
Morton and Fried both took deals elsewhere. This left the Braves without a few key arms in their starting rotation. But they're expected to return Spencer Strider to the bump at some point during the 2025 season.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently gave the Braves a "C" grade for their offseason and predicted them to finish second in the National League East behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Jurickson Profar improves the everyday left field position for Atlanta. He hit .280 last year with the Padres, belting 24 home runs, stealing 10 bases, and recording four outfield assists," Bowden wrote. "He finished second in the NL in on-base percentage (.380), behind only Shohei Ohtani. With Profar in left, Michael Harris II in center and Ronald Acuña Jr. In right, the Braves have one of the best outfields in baseball."
Atlanta's addition of Jurickson Profar may prove to be the entire difference between a good season and a great one. When the Braves announced that signing, it was quite a shock to many around baseball.
They didn't make too many other notable moves, though. For Atlanta, it's going to be about getting healthy and staying healthy, notably with Acuña and Strider.
Top prospects Nacho Alvarez Jr., AJ Smith-Shawver, and Hurston Waldrep will need to step up into some key roles as well, especially if Atlanta faces early injuries in the 2025 season.