However with the Winter Conferences set to start on Monday in Orlando, Fla., the Braves nonetheless should deal with three areas of want: shortstop, beginning pitching and bullpen. Or is it 4? Gained’t they want an enormous bat if Dubón is their shortstop? And if Dubón goes to finish up being their shortstop, then what number of wants does this crew even have?
Sooner or later inside the subsequent couple months, we’ll have a greater really feel for what Dubón’s function will probably be. However for now, let’s consider every of those potential areas of want.
Rotation locks: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider
Potential lock: Reynaldo López — Past the argument of whether or not he’d be finest utilized as a starter or reliever is the one which faces each pitcher getting back from a shoulder surgical procedure. The process that restricted López to 1 begin this yr was only a cleanup of his proper shoulder. So if López stays wholesome, anticipate to see him within the rotation.
Questionable: Grant Holmes — It’s nice that Holmes was in a position to throw pain-free earlier than shutting issues down this yr. However whether or not he can keep away from UCL surgical procedure on his proper elbow will probably be decided as soon as he pitches in Spring Coaching video games and begins to expertise a standard schedule once more. Even when he’s wholesome, Holmes may start the upcoming season within the bullpen.
No. 4 and No. 5 choices: Hurston Waldrep, Joey Wentz, Bryce Elder — If López is within the rotation, you possibly can truly say these three would compete with Holmes for the fifth starter function. Waldrep was nice after he was referred to as up on Aug. 3. However Wentz and Elder are each out of choices. One or each may very well be used out of the bullpen. Both method, the Braves are going to wish to protect as a lot depth as attainable.
Conclusion: Eight beginning pitchers are listed right here. There’s additionally an opportunity JR Ritchie (ranked by MLB Pipeline as Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect) or Didier Fuentes (No. 7) may give Atlanta innings in some unspecified time in the future this summer time. However if you account for the entire query marks, it’s simple to see why including a confirmed starter needs to be excessive on the precedence checklist.
If the Braves are going so as to add a starter, they could have to dip into their depth of pitching prospects. Ranger Suárez and Zac Gallen are among the many free-agent beginning pitchers who may strengthen Atlanta’s employees. However as a result of each of those pitchers declined a qualifying provide, the Braves would lose the twenty sixth general decide in subsequent summer time’s MLB Draft in the event that they signed both of them. This decide was gained courtesy of Drake Baldwin profitable the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr Award final month.
The query could be whether or not it could be higher to half methods with the decide or the prospects that will be wanted to finalize a commerce.
Locks: Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee, Aaron Bummer
Potential: Daysbel Hernández — If his management and command stay an issue, Hernández nonetheless has a Minor League choice remaining.
Questionable: Joe Jiménez — If there’s nonetheless concern about Jiménez’s surgically repaired left knee in January, there could also be an urgency so as to add a high-leverage reduction choice.
López aspect: If Jiménez isn’t out there, would that lead the Braves to maneuver López again to the bullpen? They actually received’t wish to ask López to construct up in the midst of the season. So any such resolution would erase a starter choice.
Different choices: Holmes, Wentz, Elder
Conclusion: Jiménez’s well being will decide whether or not the Braves make one other important addition to the bullpen.
3. Shortstop and designated hitter
If Ha-Seong Kim returns, Dubón can be utilized as a brilliant utility participant. However sticking with Dubón because the shortstop would give the Braves way more monetary flexibility to make use of on their different wants. Kim provides extra from an offensive perspective, however does he add sufficient to account for the very fact Atlanta’s projected lineup doesn’t at present have the manufacturing Marcell Ozuna was anticipated to offer this previous season?
Is there a have to take one other likelihood on Ozuna, or at the very least signal one other DH-type participant? Or ought to the Braves goal somebody who would offer defensive worth whereas additionally serving as one of many many various DH choices in 2026?
