What do things look like so far for the Atlanta Braves? Already it seems Atlanta is on pace to have a great offseason. However, for some strange reason, injuries keep hammering Atlanta. Is Joe Jimenez out for the season in 2025? What is the plan?
Braves Offseason Overview
Trading Is Possibly More Important Than Free Agency
The Braves may need to use the power they still have- trading. Trading away is not what they need, though. In all likelihood, the biggest target on Atlanta’s board in free agency is Willy Adames. Adames had a career year and is genuinely able to be signed by Atlanta. However, it is very possible that he is re-signed or signed by someone else. Immediately after the World Series, Atlanta traded Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels for Griffin Canning. Perhaps Atlanta genuinely believes Soler wasn’t needed for their offense in 2025. However, thanks to Ronald Acuna Jr. not being available at the beginning of 2025, they need a backup plan.
The injury bug, as seen in 2024, absolutely hates Atlanta. Apparently, not only is Acuna unavailable for the beginning of 2025, but so is Spencer Strider. Unfortunately, Atlanta doesn’t have enough to compete with the Philadelphia Phillies or the New York Mets in free agency, both teams, especially the Mets, will easily get what they want in free agency over Atlanta. Free agency will not fill any voids left by injured players or free agents who decide to leave. Max Fried is set to leave if Atlanta does not pay up. As is A.J. Minter, and more. Thus, trading needs to be a major component of Atlanta’s offseason. Atlanta still has great players, but even a small trade for a playmaker could improve Atlanta drastically.
There Are Trade Targets
The question is for Atlanta, what are some trade targets? To be honest, many trade targets would not fit Atlanta. However, the Chicago White Sox are well aware that they have NO chance of being a good team in 2025. Yet, the Sox still retain Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet, both of whom are trade targets for Atlanta. A trade will cost Atlanta important prospects; however, a trade is very important. Trading for Crochet would allow the Braves to have a healthy arm in the rotation and a possible replacement for Fried. Meanwhile, a trade for Robert Jr. would allow the Braves to have a better outfield and a possible star. After having 38 homers in 2023, Robert Jr. failed to stay healthy and played just 100 games, where he hit just 14 homers. Robert Jr. has had just one great season in his career and is almost never healthy. Trading for Robert Jr. is a risk since Atlanta wouldn’t know what version of him they would get. However, it is better to have an okay Robert Jr. than having to use Eli White and Jarred Kelenic for even a limited amount of time. Atlanta has the ability to go to more trade candidates. However, one thing is for sure; Atlanta must improve by 2025.
How will the Braves handle these unfortunate situations? No one knows except for Atlanta. However, the Braves may consider trading for another star. Their plan so far is needing to get better.
Main Image: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
