The Atlanta Braves’ decisions around the recent non-tender deadline, particularly the choices made by President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, are sending clear signals about the team’s intended approach for the 2026 Trade Deadline and beyond.
The hints suggest a strategy of maximizing financial flexibility and controllable assets—the classic Anthopoulos approach that prepares the team to buy big later, rather than spending wildly in the winter.
1. The Strategy: Low-Cost Roster Control is Paramount
The most telling sign is the retention of several arbitration-eligible players on low-cost deals or with the strategic non-tendering of others:
- Vidal Bruján’s Split Contract (850k$): By giving Bruján a split contract, the Braves secured an experienced, versatile player who is out of minor league options at a bargain price. This creates low-cost infield insurance, ensuring they don’t have to overpay for a utility player mid-season.
- Alek Manoah’s Tender (2.2M$): The Braves tendered Manoah a contract, a clear move to bet on his upside after acquiring him. If Manoah pitches well in the first half of 2026, he becomes a valuable, controllable trade asset for a team looking to sell at the deadline, or he fills a spot in the rotation if needed.
- The Non-Tenders (Suárez, Wentz, etc.): By non-tendering fringe players with mediocre results and modest salaries, the Braves freed up multiple 40-man roster spots and minimal payroll. This move is less about saving money now and more about having open roster space to immediately absorb players acquired at the 2026 Trade Deadline without having to DFA other players.
2. The Big Picture: Prepared to Be Aggressive Buyers
Anthopoulos has historically preferred to make his major, impactful moves during the trade deadline season (e.g., the Mark Teixeira, Chris Sale, and Matt Olson trades). The current offseason strategy prepares the Braves to be aggressive buyers in July 2026:
- Hoarding Controllable Assets: AA’s philosophy, even when the team has struggled, is to refuse to trade players with multiple years of team control (Source 2.5).1 This ensures the farm system maintains enough talent to pull off a blockbuster deal later.
- Short-Term Financial Flexibility: By securing low-cost veterans and only dealing in short-term contracts this winter, the Braves keep their high-end payroll flexible to take on a massive contract (like a high-end starter’s salary) at the deadline in 2026.
- The Mid-Rotation Target: The Braves picked up Chris Sale’s 2$\text{\$18}$ million option for 2026 (Source 2.1). If Sale and Spencer Strider are healthy, the team only needs to acquire one more frontline starter—a need they are likely to fill via trade in July 2026, using their preserved prospects.3
The Hint: The Braves aren’t using this offseason to lock in their entire roster. They are using it to optimize their assets and payroll flexibility so they can pivot and make a big splash in the trade market next summer.
