Anthopoulos: Braves prioritize shortstop, starting pitcher

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos showed up at the 2025 MLB General Managers Meetings with a pretty direct message about the team’s offseason plans. After a frustrating early playoff exit in 2024, Anthopoulos didn’t sugarcoat it—he said the club needs to get better, especially when it comes to pitching depth.

He gave fans a rare peek into how the Braves hope to balance their urge to win right now with the need to keep things rolling for years down the road.

Braves’ Top Priority: Strengthening the Pitching Staff

Let’s be real: the Braves’ postseason collapse last year mostly came down to pitching. Anthopoulos didn’t dance around it—pitching upgrades, especially in the bullpen, are front and center for Atlanta this winter.

He said the team plans to get aggressive, whether that means making trades or chasing free agents, all to make sure the pitching staff’s deeper and tougher for 2025.

Exploring Multiple Avenues for Improvement

The Braves aren’t boxing themselves into one strategy. Anthopoulos said he’s looking at both the trade market and free agency, trying to find arms who can actually make a difference right away.

They have some financial freedom, but he wants to avoid those long, expensive contracts that can mess up future rosters. Makes sense, honestly.

Core Position Players Locked In

Fans can relax about losing their favorite stars this winter. Anthopoulos said flat-out that Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson will all be back for 2025.

That’s huge—the lineup’s backbone isn’t going anywhere, and those guys will keep Atlanta’s offense scary as ever while the front office fixes up the pitching.

Impact of Injured Pitchers Returning

Another piece of the puzzle: several key pitchers are coming back from injury this year. Anthopoulos sees them as “internal acquisitions,” which could mean the club doesn’t have to go wild overpaying for outside help.

It’s not flashy, but sometimes that’s just what a team needs to fill out the depth chart.

Balancing Roster Moves with Clubhouse Chemistry

Upgrading talent is great, but Anthopoulos keeps saying that any new faces have to fit the team’s vibe. He really values clubhouse chemistry and doesn’t want to mess with the harmony that’s made the Braves click lately.

So, it’s not just about stats—he’s looking for the right personalities and leaders, too. That’s not always easy to measure, is it?

Pursuit of a Veteran Starter

Besides the bullpen, Atlanta wants a reliable, experienced starting pitcher to join Spencer Strider and Max Fried. Fried’s contract is still up in the air, so adding another dependable veteran is a smart insurance policy for the rotation.

Key Takeaways from Anthopoulos’ Offseason Strategy

If you’re looking ahead, Anthopoulos’ recent comments hint at a careful but confident offseason plan. He’s got a few main ideas in mind:

• Bolster the bullpen with high-leverage arms, either through trades or free agency.
• Safeguard clubhouse chemistry when considering roster changes.
• Keep the offensive core intact—Acuña, Riley, and Olson still anchor the lineup.
• Integrate returning injured pitchers to strengthen the rotation and bullpen.
• Add a veteran starter to support Strider and Fried.
• Maintain financial flexibility and avoid locking up the future with risky commitments.

This winter, Braves fans should expect a mix of smart moves and a bit of boldness. Pitching depth probably tops the list, but every decision will get weighed against the bigger goal—winning year after year, not just once.

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