The Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season was a major disappointment, as they finished with a losing record of 76–86 and placed a distant fourth in the NL East (20 games behind the Phillies). The collapse was rooted in catastrophic pitching injuries, inconsistent offensive production, and poor baserunning.
After retaining Ozzie Albies and Chris Sale (by picking up their options), President Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that the team’s priorities include starting pitching, a shortstop, and multiple relievers.
Based on their 2025 deficiencies and stated goals, here are the 3 critical changes the Braves must make to return to contention in 2026:
1. Acquire a True Front-Line, Durable Starting Pitcher
The biggest failure of the 2025 season was the complete lack of pitching durability, making this the most crucial need for 2026. The staff ranked 22nd in ERA ($\text{4.36}$) and finished with zero complete-game shutouts.
| Pitcher | 2025 Status | Outlook & Need |
| Spencer Strider | Returned from elbow surgery, but struggled with lower velocity (Source 2.6). | Cannot be counted on as the guaranteed ace; his future is uncertain. |
| Chris Sale | Option picked up for 2026, but missed large chunks of 2025 (rib fracture). | High-risk, high-reward. Requires a true partner to share the load. |
| Schwellenbach/Waldrep | High-upside youth, but both faced injuries/regression (Source 2.6, 2.3). | The Braves need veteran stability to protect these young, high-velocity arms. |
- The Change: The Braves must spend or trade for a proven, innings-eating #1 or #2 starter, such as Dylan Cease (via trade) or top-tier free agents like Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen. The goal must be to reduce the pressure on Strider and reduce reliance on unproven depth.
2. End the Shortstop Carousel with a Long-Term, High-Impact Acquisition
The shortstop position has been a massive source of instability since Dansby Swanson departed. The 2025 season saw the team rotate through Orlando Arcia (released), Nick Allen (elite defender, offensive liability), and Ha-Seong Kim (acquired late, opted out) (Source 3.3).
- The Change: The Braves must use their payroll flexibility to make a major move for an impact player at the position.
- Option A: Re-sign Ha-Seong Kim: He is the familiar, defensive-minded choice, but he will be expensive after his opt-out (Source 3.3).
- Option B: Pursue Bo Bichette: He is the top alternative trade target. While he may lack elite defense, he would instantly become a huge offensive boost and provide stability in the lineup (Source 3.5, 3.3).
The decision here will dictate the flow of the entire offense and fix the “automatic out” problem the team experienced in the bottom half of the order.
3. Change the Offensive Profile by Emphasizing Speed and Contact
The Braves’ offense, once the league’s most feared, regressed dramatically in 2025, falling to 14th in home runs and 18th in batting average (Source 1.3). The problem was a lack of balance and poor baserunning.
- The Change: The team must shift away from being solely reliant on the home run and incorporate speed and contact into its approach.
- Increase Aggression: The Braves ranked a disappointing 26th in stolen bases in 2025 (Source 2.2). The hiring of new first-base coach Antoan Richardson is the first step toward emphasizing stolen bases and creating more scoring opportunities without needing the home run (Source 2.2).
- Add an Impact Bat: They must replace the lost power from Marcell Ozuna (a free agent) with a versatile bat capable of playing the corner outfield or DH, such as rumored targets like Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker (Source 3.2, 3.5). This provides a necessary layer of protection for Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson.
