2025-2026 offseason thread

Again, the point isnt to rank highly on ESPNs farm rankings. The point is to develop them into quality mlb players. We could be top 5 every year if they stopped aggressively promoting prospects. Some teams Schwellenbach is still at AAA. I know it feels like it wont help us in the short term but we have had several picks in recent years move quick. Baldwin was a third round pick in June 2022 and opens 2025 in Atlanta. JR Ritchie same class HS pitcher who had TJ and is knocking on the door of Atlanta in 2026. 2021 we got Schwellenbach who is in Atlanta by mid 2024. Also AJSS who debuted in 2023. Our first pick in 2026 will likely come with a bonus pool equal to our entire drafts previously. Theres multiple premium SS prospects likely to go top 5. We very well could land the first pitcher in the draft. Odds arent great but any one of the picks could be franchisee altering. The Mets got David Wright with the pick from losing known ironman Mike Hampton. Angels got Trout from losing Tex. Etc. If we want the team to be able to sign big contracts we have to fill other spts with cheap players.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
For those interested, Hammer Territory had Robert Murray on the show yesterday and he had a lot to say about the team.

Essentially:
  1. AA is going to be very aggressive on the free-agent and trade markets for starting pitching, likely above anything else. He also said AA is known for being relentless — among the top guys in terms of calling other teams.
  2. He thinks the Braves have the money to legitimately be in the mix for every available pitcher; he just isn’t sure AA will give up the draft-pick compensation for some of them.
  3. If anyone is going to land Buxton, he thinks the Braves make the most sense of any team. He said Buxton is very open to waiving his NTC for Atlanta, but the Twins’ direction is still unclear. The industry is skeptical Buxton gets moved until the Twins trade Ryan or López, who he thinks come first.
  4. For trades, the Braves may actually be in a good spot for once because so many teams need pitching and our farm is loaded with pitching talent.
  5. There truly is radio silence around AA’s work — no one knows what he’s going to do.
  6. The Braves and Kim like each other a lot. But in his opinion, Kim isn’t very likely because he thinks Kim’s camp will wait out a deal and AA will move on to other options beforehand. Still, he thinks there’s a chance because both sides speak very highly of each other.
  7. The league expects Spencer Strider to be back to form in 2026, or at least back to an All-Star level.
  8. He doesn’t expect the Braves to trade anyone from their current roster. If anyone were to be moved, it would be Sean Murphy, but he specifically asked AA about it, and AA said he much prefers having two good catchers, so it’s not likely right now.
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1. Thats GM talk for we probably arent going to anything big and he is setting up an excuse.

2. They have the money they just balk at the length of contracts. That he apparently thought Nola was the guy we needed scares me. Heres a list of big money FA contracts AA has signed.........


3. Unless we are getting Buxton cheap because he is only willing to go to Atlanta. I dont want to pay even half of what people think it willtake.


4. If I was a GM anyone expressing this opinion would be terminated immediately for mental retardation. I struggle to find the proper words to define just how stupid of opinion that is.


6. The chances of Kim coming back is high. The Doubon trade and comments made it clear they still wanted someone else. I highly doubt they find a better option. I think the holdup is Borass probably wants a pillow contract and AA is reluctant. I bet they told Kim to see what he can get and then the Braves will get a chance to match it.


8. 2 good catchers would be nice. Maybe we can trade Murphy for one? Seriously are AA and Murphy dating? If payrolls no issue I am fine keeping Murphy but if money is an issue we cant be paying Melvins 15 million a year to hit under .200.
 
cajunrevenge said:
I hadnt noticed but Schwellenbachs Fastball and Cutter both rated plus last year. Unfortunately his slider went from great to shit. I feel like at the rate he is growing as a pitcher he could have a Skubal type upside.
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I really believe that if Schwellenbach had a fully healthy season that he would be a top 3 in CY.
 
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This is knee-jerk and preliminary since it’s so early, but I really really want AA to stop being so skittish and actually make real impact moves with this roster. I am so fucking sick of the same shit every year. The roster is insanely talented, but it’s stagnant and desperately needs a jolt of life. If he can’t make moves because of resource limits of any kind, fine — but stop promising changes every year and then not making them. It’s exhausting and so damn disappointing.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
This is knee-jerk and preliminary since it’s so early, but I really really want AA to stop being so skittish and actually make real impact moves with this roster. I am so fucking sick of the same shit every year. The roster is insanely talented, but it’s stagnant and desperately needs a jolt of life. If he can’t make moves because of resource limits of any kind, fine — but stop promising changes every year and then not making them. It’s exhausting and so damn disappointing.
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The baseball offseason as a whole sucks.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
This is knee-jerk and preliminary since it’s so early, but I really really want AA to stop being so skittish and actually make real impact moves with this roster. I am so fucking sick of the same shit every year. The roster is insanely talented, but it’s stagnant and desperately needs a jolt of life. If he can’t make moves because of resource limits of any kind, fine — but stop promising changes every year and then not making them. It’s exhausting and so damn disappointing.
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Every year? Dude literally traded for the cy young two years ago. People really are letting AAs moves since the deadline of 24 effect their opinion of how he built this team prior to that. I'll join in on the criticism if this off-season is a bust but its super early.
 
thewupk said:
Every year? Dude literally traded for the cy young two years ago. People really are letting AAs moves since the deadline of 24 effect their opinion of how he built this team prior to that. I'll join in on the criticism if this off-season is a bust but its super early.
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I said it's kneejerk and preliminary. Lmao but let's be honest, Sale hadn't pitched much over the last three years when AA acquired him for dirt cheap. That's a pretty terrible example. Still, that was two years ago so it's time to step it up and add some life into the roster.
 
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