Braves Offseason Plans to Take Shape at 2025 Winter Meetings

The Atlanta Braves head into the 2025 Winter Meetings facing one of their most pivotal offseasons in recent memory. With needs on the mound, in the lineup, and maybe up the middle defensively, every move in the coming weeks will shape not just the 2025 season but the club’s window for years to come.

Braves’ Offseason Priorities Ahead of the 2025 Winter Meetings

The front office shows up at the Winter Meetings with a clear shopping list. Atlanta needs to balance winning now with keeping options open long-term, so they’re weighing their own players against a deep but expensive free-agent and trade market.

Rotation Questions Drive Need for a Frontline Starter

The most pressing concern is the starting rotation. Sure, the Braves have depth, but health has turned that depth into a big question mark.

Reynaldo López is working his way back from shoulder surgery. The team hopes for the best, but shoulders are notoriously unpredictable.

If he has a setback, that leaves a big hole in the middle of the rotation. There are also quiet worries around Grant Holmes, who could be dealing with potential elbow issues.

Even if Holmes avoids surgery, the combination of question marks makes it risky for Atlanta to rely only on their own arms. A reliable starting pitcher—ideally someone who can soak up 170–190 innings—sits at the top of the Braves’ wish list.

Behind the headliners, the Braves have strong organizational pitching depth. But most of those arms are green, and the front office knows pushing prospects too fast can derail both development and a season’s hopes.

Bullpen Depth a Priority if Health Falters

The bullpen has been a strength lately, but it’s not immune to attrition. The health of Joe Jiménez and his knee looms large.

If he’s not fully recovered, the late-inning mix gets much thinner and forces other relievers into roles they might not be ready for over 162 games. The Winter Meetings could be the perfect stage for Atlanta to add one or two veteran relievers—arms who can pitch leverage innings and keep the club from overexposing younger bullpen pieces early in the year.

Offensive Needs: Replacing Ozuna and Maximizing the Core

On the offensive side, the Braves are searching for both reliability and upside. Losing Marcell Ozuna’s bat changes the middle of the order and leaves a noticeable production gap.

Life After Marcell Ozuna at DH

With Marcell Ozuna gone from the designated hitter role, Atlanta has to replace a big chunk of power and run production. The club can approach this in a couple ways:

Expect the front office to explore both. A bat-first outfielder who can occasionally handle the field while providing thump at DH would give the manager some lineup flexibility.

Health of Stars and Uncertain Supporting Cast

The Braves are betting heavily on a healthier and more explosive version of their core. Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies are expected to be closer to full strength, and that alone could elevate the offense back into elite territory.

The question is what they get from the supporting cast. Jurickson Profar remains an X-factor—versatile and experienced, but not always consistent.

Michael Harris II has the tools to become a star, yet his offensive production has swung between dynamic and streaky. The Braves don’t necessarily need both to break out, but they can’t afford both to struggle for too long if they don’t land another big bat.

Shortstop Puzzle: Is Dubón the Everyday Answer?

The most intriguing internal decision centers on shortstop. Atlanta could chase a name on the market, but there’s a strong in-house candidate who changes their entire offseason calculus.

Why Luis Urías Dubón Could Be the Key

Luis Urías Dubón is getting serious consideration as the everyday shortstop. This move would be less about star power and more about roster construction.

If Dubón handles short full-time:

It’s a classic trade-off: give up a bit of offensive upside at shortstop to strengthen the rotation or lineup elsewhere. Given the broader needs, this might be the most efficient path.

Catching Strength and Prospect Protection

While other areas are unsettled, catcher remains a position of strength—and a test of how aggressively Atlanta wants to deal from it.

Sean Murphy, Drake Baldwin, and Trade Rumors

Despite persistent trade rumors, Sean Murphy looks likely to stay put. Paired with Drake Baldwin, the Braves have one of the better catching duos in the league.

Murphy’s defense, game-calling, and power make him too valuable to move unless someone absolutely blows them away with an offer. That stability behind the plate lets the front office focus its trade capital elsewhere.

Rotation of the Future: Ritchie, Waldrep, and Untouchables

The Braves’ farm system is loaded with intriguing arms. JR Ritchie, a 22-year-old right-hander, turned heads in 2025 and is tracking toward a 2026 arrival in the big-league rotation.

Hurston Waldrep adds another potential rotation piece with upside. Still, there are limits to how far Atlanta wants to go in trade talks.

Cam Caminiti and Didier Fuentes are viewed as near-untouchable prospects. The organization seems pretty reluctant to sacrifice long-term, high-ceiling arms for a short-term boost, even in an aggressive win-now window.

Rule 5 Draft Risk: Blake Burkhalter in the Spotlight

The Rule 5 Draft always adds a bit of chaos. The Braves decided not to protect promising pitcher Blake Burkhalter on their 40-man roster, leaving him exposed.

Now, another club could grab him if they’re willing to keep him all year. That could cost Atlanta an arm with real upside.

It’s a calculated risk—one you see from competitive teams that trust their bullpen development. Still, losing Burkhalter for nothing? That would sting, especially if injuries hit early.

 
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