2025-2026 offseason thread

E

Enscheff

Well-known member
MLBTR just posted their August FA power ranking: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/2025-26-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings-august-edition.html

The Braves will have a Top 10 pick in the draft, which will be protected in the event they sign a FA with a QO attached. After resetting the tax penalty AA should have upwards of $100M to spend in 2026. Those 2 facts suggest there should be no FA option out of the Braves range this offseason.

Tucker will likely get close to $450M. He’s the clear prize of the offseason, and would boost the middle of the lineup perfectly.

Bichette will likely get close to $200M, and will have to move to 2B right around the time Albies is gone.

That’s $65M-$70M for those 2 players in 2026, which the Braves never touch. However, if there was ever a time to spend with the big boys in FA, this is the year to do it. The window is closing, the luxury tax was reset, the top FA hitters fit the roster almost perfectly, and the top draft pick will be protected.

Bellinger also fits very well as a guy who can play all 3 OF spots as those guys are rotated through DH.

The SP options are pretty interesting, with Woodruff being a strong candidate for AA’s preferred short length deal with a high AAV.
 
We've agreed on this for awhile now that this is the perfect offseason for us to go big. I may be in the minority but I don't think Tucker sniffs 400 million. He's not having a career year or anything but I think 300-350 is where he'll be when it's done. 10-350 would be where I'd offer and I'm guessing the Cubs will outbid everybody bc they traded for him. Bichette has had a really good bounce back year so 200 is probably right on him. Cease, King, or Woodruff need to be brought in for sure for the rotation. If we are spreading the money around I'd probably go Cease, Bichette, Bellinger (he can backup 1b also), and Devin Williams and use Murph in a trade for a young OF or SS prospect and they wouldn't have to be MLB ready. I wouldn't mind bringing in Chapman either on a 1-2 year deal.
 
Hudson2 said:
Yep and the money is there to get all 3 and have some left over if they want to. Especially if Murphy is traded.
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I don't understand why people want to move Murphy so badly. I'd rather not be a bad foul tip away from having to start a AAAA catcher. Even if we went out and got a legitimate backup it would cost us around 8 million.

Keep Murphy and get Bader instead of Bellinger.
 
Yeah- the “trade Murphy” idea makes no sense to me - and yes, I am fully aware that I’m a moron- but having two good bats at catcher and letting them both play a lot is just a HUGE advantage and weapon. To me that’s worth way more than a “serviceable” shortstop or “decent” number 3 or 4 starter- now, if you could get a serious middle of the order bat for him or a legit #2, that would be different - but no team is going to make themselves worse just because we ask them to.
Said differently, and as posted above, having a AAAA catcher getting a lot of ABs is not a good idea for this team- and certainly not having one play a lot because Drake is on DL…
Keep Murphy- please.
 
Slippyjms said:
I don't understand why people want to move Murphy so badly. I'd rather not be a bad foul tip away from having to start a AAAA catcher. Even if we went out and got a legitimate backup it would cost us around 8 million.

Keep Murphy and get Bader instead of Bellinger.
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I think the trade Murphy talk is bc of Acuna needing to DH more with his injury history. If you have Murphy then him and Murphy are gonna platoon more with rotating a few players at DH. Ifs gonna all come down to the manager basically. If they hire the right guy then it won't matter.
 
We've gotten about 1.25 good seasons out Murphy in 3 seasons. I just doubt his ability to remain productive with the bat. I just generally dont like players who are .230 hitters when things are going good. It just doesnt seem like a good use of resources when we have gaping holes on the team. I dont think of it simply as we could get players to fill other holes by trading Murphy I think of it as getting cheap players we can use to fill holes on the team plus almost 15 million a year over the next 3 years we can use on something else. Personally I would be looking to trade Murphy to a team with a good closer prospect as part of the package. The impact of trading a 15 million dollar a year good catcher for a pre-arb closer + more changes the financial outlook of the team. Not having to spend 50 million for a pen is what will let us sign these big name Free Agents.
 
If AA/the organization is going to refuse to spend the money to bid on free agents and Baldwin is untouchable, then Murphy's years of control at a more than reasonable rate have to be used to strengthen other holes on the roster with established MLB talent. That simple. Unless we're ready to commit to Baldwin and Murphy rotating between DH and catcher.
 
Enscheff said:
MLBTR just posted their August FA power ranking: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/2025-26-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings-august-edition.html

The Braves will have a Top 10 pick in the draft, which will be protected in the event they sign a FA with a QO attached. After resetting the tax penalty AA should have upwards of $100M to spend in 2026. Those 2 facts suggest there should be no FA option out of the Braves range this offseason.

Tucker will likely get close to $450M. He’s the clear prize of the offseason, and would boost the middle of the lineup perfectly.

Bichette will likely get close to $200M, and will have to move to 2B right around the time Albies is gone.

That’s $65M-$70M for those 2 players in 2026, which the Braves never touch. However, if there was ever a time to spend with the big boys in FA, this is the year to do it. The window is closing, the luxury tax was reset, the top FA hitters fit the roster almost perfectly, and the top draft pick will be protected.

Bellinger also fits very well as a guy who can play all 3 OF spots as those guys are rotated through DH.

The SP options are pretty interesting, with Woodruff being a strong candidate for AA’s preferred short length deal with a high AAV.
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I think we could play in the top tier free agents but its more about them just not wanting to. The only way I see it happening in the near future is if the player specifically wants to come to Atlanta and will take a discount. So Tucker I think we can easily rule out. Bichette is another swing happy hitter who is already a below average SS. Do we really want to add another free swinger/low walk hitter? I get the sense he is going to get an absurd contract from someone we will all scoff at. Bellinger I like but his overall stats are skewed by Turd Stadium...... I mean Yankee Stadium inflating lefty homers by around 26%. So his price tag will be inflated by the dumb teams. Woodruff is right up AA's alley as you said. Some others I think we might persue.


Ranger Suarez - I would be in favor of paying him 10 mill a year just to not pitch against us anymore. He is relatively young but already having back problems. I feel like a lefty GB pitcher throwing 91 is a good change of pace to our other SP. You face Suarez throwing 91 mph sinkers from the left side one day then Strider throwing 97 from the right side I just think that keeps the opposing hitters from getting too comfortable at the plate.


Framber Valdez - The man with sexy 60% groundball rate who also strikes out more than 1 per inning. He will be 32 though. Which in all honesty is the only reason we could even be in the running. AA's problem with big contracts isnt the Average Annual Value its the years. Valdez probably get 5 years or at best 6.


Willi Castro - Super utility guy for the Twins until recent trade. Switch hitter. Could we use a guy who can play every position but C and put up a 100 or better RC? If you said no you are probably AA or just not paying attention.


Isiah Kiner-Falefa - SS for the Pirates. Not very good but think of him as the floor for SS. He is who I want as the backup option. He has experience playing all over including catcher so we could use him as super utility guy and emergency catcher.


Alex Bregman - Probably a long shot but I think being age 32 he wont require a 10 year contract although we know Borass will try. Riley and Bregman are position versatile enough that we can get both in the lineup. Riley can play an OF corner, 1B if we ever needed, and obviously DH. Bregman can play 2B, can fill in at SS occasionally and probably could play an OF corner although I dont know if he ever has. Probably not in our price range but I think he would bring some fire to the team.


Zac Gallen - Probably takes a 1 year prove it deal. Arizona is a brutal place to pitch. I would bet on him eventhough he has been equally bad on the road this year.


Mike Soroka - I know we wouldnt do this but I would use as a 2-3 inning pitcher. Long relief, opener, eat innings. I know he is made of glass but he is dominate the first time through the batting order. Still pretty good the second time through. With our rotation inuries I would love to just have him stored in the pen being used as I described until needed in the rotation.


Devin Williams - I get the feeling the Yankees wont be re-signing him. I will give him the Renteria "he just isnt an AL player" mulligan on this year.



Theres actually pretty good depth in the SP market. Frontline SP are great but I dont think we need more than backend inning eaters. I swear to god if we go into next year with Reynaldo and Holmes expected to be in the rotation I am going to lose my mind. We need to go into next year expecting 0 starts from those 2 and for Sale to miss half the year.
 
Tucker would be ideal, but won’t happen.
Valdez would be ideal and possible if AA goes that extra year
Woodruff seems the most likely sign and value
Bieber might be interesting
Bichette will be overpaid.
Bellinger would make sense, but I wouldn’t sign if I were him and we kept Murphy.
Suarez is interesting if we have the cash since AA isn’t afraid to pay relievers
 
cajunrevenge said:
I think we could play in the top tier free agents but its more about them just not wanting to. The only way I see it happening in the near future is if the player specifically wants to come to Atlanta and will take a discount. So Tucker I think we can easily rule out. Bichette is another swing happy hitter who is already a below average SS. Do we really want to add another free swinger/low walk hitter? I get the sense he is going to get an absurd contract from someone we will all scoff at. Bellinger I like but his overall stats are skewed by Turd Stadium...... I mean Yankee Stadium inflating lefty homers by around 26%. So his price tag will be inflated by the dumb teams. Woodruff is right up AA's alley as you said. Some others I think we might persue.


Ranger Suarez - I would be in favor of paying him 10 mill a year just to not pitch against us anymore. He is relatively young but already having back problems. I feel like a lefty GB pitcher throwing 91 is a good change of pace to our other SP. You face Suarez throwing 91 mph sinkers from the left side one day then Strider throwing 97 from the right side I just think that keeps the opposing hitters from getting too comfortable at the plate.


Framber Valdez - The man with sexy 60% groundball rate who also strikes out more than 1 per inning. He will be 32 though. Which in all honesty is the only reason we could even be in the running. AA's problem with big contracts isnt the Average Annual Value its the years. Valdez probably get 5 years or at best 6.


Willi Castro - Super utility guy for the Twins until recent trade. Switch hitter. Could we use a guy who can play every position but C and put up a 100 or better RC? If you said no you are probably AA or just not paying attention.


Isiah Kiner-Falefa - SS for the Pirates. Not very good but think of him as the floor for SS. He is who I want as the backup option. He has experience playing all over including catcher so we could use him as super utility guy and emergency catcher.


Alex Bregman - Probably a long shot but I think being age 32 he wont require a 10 year contract although we know Borass will try. Riley and Bregman are position versatile enough that we can get both in the lineup. Riley can play an OF corner, 1B if we ever needed, and obviously DH. Bregman can play 2B, can fill in at SS occasionally and probably could play an OF corner although I dont know if he ever has. Probably not in our price range but I think he would bring some fire to the team.


Zac Gallen - Probably takes a 1 year prove it deal. Arizona is a brutal place to pitch. I would bet on him eventhough he has been equally bad on the road this year.


Mike Soroka - I know we wouldnt do this but I would use as a 2-3 inning pitcher. Long relief, opener, eat innings. I know he is made of glass but he is dominate the first time through the batting order. Still pretty good the second time through. With our rotation inuries I would love to just have him stored in the pen being used as I described until needed in the rotation.


Devin Williams - I get the feeling the Yankees wont be re-signing him. I will give him the Renteria "he just isnt an AL player" mulligan on this year.



Theres actually pretty good depth in the SP market. Frontline SP are great but I dont think we need more than backend inning eaters. I swear to god if we go into next year with Reynaldo and Holmes expected to be in the rotation I am going to lose my mind. We need to go into next year expecting 0 starts from those 2 and for Sale to miss half the year.
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Our rotation as a whole is injury prone. We need more than a back end innings eater. Sale will be gone after 26 and I don't get the Morton vibes from him staying in Atlanta. Cease or Woodruff need to be brought in for sure.
 
Well at some point you have to bet on health a bit. We all knew they needed another SP this year but it still wouldnt have been enough. We need 3 more and that was just unrealistic to come from FA. What makes sense are guys that are good in the pen that can also be backend SP if we need it. Lopez and Holmes have had success out of the pen. So theres no reason no to start them in the pen and let them prove their health before even considering putting them in the rotation. Theres some guys like that in FA. Soroka being one. We should have some solid depth in 2027 from the minors to replace a few starters during the season but I dont see anyone from the minors making a positive impact in the rotation next year.
 
We needed one before the season started without knowing what was gonna happen. This offseason we see what's happened the past 2 years with injuries so they will no doubt get another good SP in here.
 
The Murphy trade idea always hinged on some team with a surplus SS or OF or SP situation being able to match their area of strength with the Braves. Nobody, and I mean literally nobody, is advocating for trading Murphy for anything other than an MLB contributor controlled for at least as long as Murphy.

Acuna needs as many PAs at DH next year to protect his health. A single DL stint completely negates all value he contributes in the OF, so every effort must be made to keep that 1.000 OPS bat in the lineup.
 
Slippyjms said:
I don't understand why people want to move Murphy so badly. I'd rather not be a bad foul tip away from having to start a AAAA catcher. Even if we went out and got a legitimate backup it would cost us around 8 million.

Keep Murphy and get Bader instead of Bellinger.
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Because he's our best trade piece to improve the team. We're also always a bad foul tip away from having to start Luke Williams at 3b. Or JK in RF.
 
Carp said:
Because he's our best trade piece to improve the team. We're also always a bad foul tip away from having to start Luke Williams at 3b. Or JK in RF.
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Well considering Riley and Acuna aren't behind the plate it's less likely. Also it's easier to upgrade the OF and corner infield than catcher.
 
Slippyjms said:
Well considering Riley and Acuna aren't behind the plate it's less likely. Also it's easier to upgrade the OF and corner infield than catcher.
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1. Obviously, I'm talking about a foul tip while at the plate.

2. It is not easier to replace a 7 WAR OFer. Or a 5 WAR 3b. So we would be downgrading significantly with any sort of replacement. And not only that, but we'd be paying the deadline premium to bring in whatever replacement that might be.

3. We will clearly bring in a solid backup at catcher via FA or trade if we trade Murphy away.

So you're sort of missing the point here. We have never really had the depth at OF or 3b to cover for significant injury. Not at 1b either. So it's irrelevant to bring up possible injuries to Baldwin while ignoring we face the same risk with our other stars, who are arguably more important to our success.

Having 2 top 5 catchers is simply not a luxury we can afford with the holes we have on this team. Not unless AA is going to open the wallet up and bring in multiple quality SPs along with signing Tucker and Bichette. So barring that event, we are going to have to trade in order to improve this team. And Murphy is our biggest trade chip that we would be willing to move.
 
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AA's back will be against the wall this offseason and his job will be magnified. If he doesn't knock this offseason out of the park then 26 could be his last year.
 
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