The Atlanta Braves have had an unusual offseason, marked by a series of early roster cuts. The front office started strong by making trades, declining player options, and non-tendering contracts, seemingly clearing space for significant upgrades ahead of the 2025 season.
However, despite expectations, the Winter Meetings passed without major roster additions. While the Braves were active in the Rule 5 Draft, this wasn’t the kind of splash fans anticipated. After failing to sign Willy Adames and acquiring Garrett Crochet via trade, the direction of Alex Anthopoulos and his team remains unclear. Here’s a breakdown of the players the Braves have already lost or may still lose this offseason.
Players Definitely Leaving
- Max Fried
- Travis d’Arnaud
- Jorge Soler
- Huascar Ynoa
The Braves kicked off their offseason by trading Jorge Soler to the Angels, who later signed Travis d’Arnaud after Atlanta declined his option. Soler’s departure was expected given his drop in form during 2024, but losing d’Arnaud, a vital clubhouse presence, came as a surprise and could impact the pitching staff next season.
Max Fried’s exit was less surprising but still a significant blow. Atlanta couldn’t match the massive contract offered by the Yankees. Meanwhile, Huascar Ynoa, sidelined by injuries in recent seasons, returned to the Twins, who initially traded him to Atlanta.
Free Agents Who Could Return
- Charlie Morton
- AJ Minter
- Jesse Chavez
- Luke Jackson
- Ramon Laureano
- Griffin Canning
Griffin Canning, acquired in the Soler trade, was quickly non-tendered to free up financial flexibility. Jesse Chavez remains a free agent but is widely expected to return if needed, given his history with the team. Luke Jackson, once a reliable bullpen arm, struggled after rejoining the Braves, making another return unlikely.
The likeliest candidates to re-sign are Charlie Morton and AJ Minter. Discussions with Morton have been slow, but a deal could materialize if his asking price stays under $10 million. Minter, who is drawing interest from Atlanta and other teams, may see his market value depend on his medical reports after hip surgery.
Overall, the Braves’ offseason has been a mix of expected moves and uncertainty, leaving fans waiting to see how the team plans to reshape the roster for the 2025 campaign.
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