#Atlanta Braves

#Atlanta Braves

The Braves likely remain involved in many of the conversations focusing on adding a starting pitcher. And with the added bonus of not having traded away any prospects to feel their offseason needs, they could always pivot to the trade market as well. The good thing is that many avenues remain available for the Braves to strengthen their already strong rotation, even if it could into the new year when the move finally occurs.

Besides Kyle Tucker, whom the Toronto Blue Jays also have a vested interest in, Bo Bichette remains the premier free agent on the market. The shortstop's latest update involved a revelation that he'd be willing to change positions for the right team, which is probably the right call after he "earned" -13 Outs Above Average at short in 2025. While that will surely appeal to teams interested in the two-time All-Star, Bichette's market is more or less defined already. He'll be too expensive for small-market teams to sign, and his various warts (injury history, defensive issues, etc.) will surely keep on-the-fence suitors at bay.

Joey Wentz might be the most interesting man on the roster going into 2026 Spring Training. Well, that's not really true. It's probably the new free agent acquisitions. But, with a Braves rotation returning from injury, and a potential cure for his location worries accounted for, he could put himself right in the mix as a swingman. As one of the prospects that the mid-2010s Braves fans pinned their hopes upon, it's good to see him back and performing well for once.

The MLB Draft Lottery took place on Tuesday evening, and the Atlanta Braves unfortunately slipped a few spots. Heading into the lottery, Atlanta had the sixth-best odds. Instead, the Braves will have the ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft. The Chicago White Sox will pick first, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins. With the Winter Meetings underway, it has been rumored that the Braves have interest in utility player Willi Castro, who has also drawn interest from the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pope, 27, joins a new organization for the first time in his career. He was added to the roster in the final week of the regular season and got to make one appearance. On September 25th, with the Snakes down 8-0 to the Dodgers, Pope tossed two scoreless innings of mop-up duty. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one.

Earlier this year, April 16 to be specific, Spencer Strider made a long-awaited return to the mound after missing nearly the entirety of the 2024 season due to surgery on his elbow. Considering how poor of a start the Braves got off to in 2025, his return was truly a sight for sore eyes and the obvious hope was that his return was the catalyst to help revive both the pitching staff's and the team's fortunes as well.

The Braves announced Tuesday morning that they've signed left-handed reliever Danny Young to a one-year, major league contract. It's a split deal, paying the 31-year-old at different rates for time spent in the majors versus time in the minors. Young, a client of Dynamic Sports Group, goes onto Atlanta's 40-man roster. He'll be paid at a $925K rate in the majors, MLBTR has learned.

While it may seem a bit odd, December typically is one of the most exciting months on the baseball calendar. The Winter Meetings is typically the peak of off-season activity, and we are just a week away from the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings starting. This does not mean that moves will stop until then, but the main takeaway is that activity should continue to pick for the Braves and other teams.

It is a beautiful, late autumn morning as I sip a cup of coffee and watch the lingering, golden yellow leaves of a maple tree fall gently to the ground. The smell of banana bread completing its final minutes of baking wafts through the air. For this, I am thankful. This is the fifth consecutive year that I've been fortunate enough to publish this editorial here at Battery Power.