2025-2026 offseason thread

[Enscheff]

These numbers are not assumptions...they are facts anyone with internet connection can verify.

Estimations of the payroll limit is an educated guess, but anyone thinking the Braves are going appreciably higher than $250M hasn’t been paying attention to what they've actually spent in recent years. Anyone naive enough to believe GM speak about the payroll didn't pay attention when AA claimed "the payroll has gone up every year" right before lowering the payroll.

 

[mfree80]

Well, resetting the penalties last year kind of complicates your theory a little bit.

I don’t know where payroll is going this year, but I don’t think last year’s numbers really tell us much about this year.

 

[Hudson2]

AA reset the tax to spend before the CBA bc several things will probably change.

 

[Carp]

The Wentz deal puts the Braves right around $210M. I'm guessing AA has at most $40M left to spend, and at least $20M.

I don't see a path for adding a legit SS, OF/DH and SP.

View attachment 708

A path to signing all those holes in FA? You're probably right. We could easily fill one or multiple holes through trade though. For instance, Freddie Peralta would be a perfect solution and only cost 8 million. Joe Ryan would also be a great solution, and his contact will be around the same.

 

[cajunrevenge]

The financial penalty isnt a big deal this year because the penalty is low. Next year and 2028 will matter more but of course a new CBA could change the whole system too.

 

[Hudson2]

A path to signing all those holes in FA? You're probably right. We could easily fill one or multiple holes through trade though. For instance, Freddie Peralta would be a perfect solution and only cost 8 million. Joe Ryan would also be a great solution, and his contact will be around the same.

You could get Ryan and Buxton for around 23 combined and knock off 2 huge holes

 

[cajunrevenge]

Sure but thats gonna wreck the farm.

 

[Hudson2]

Sure but thats gonna wreck the farm.

It would suck for sure but we are set up to put a lot of high end talent back in the farm after the draft

 

[Tapate50]

You could get Ryan and Buxton for around 23 combined and knock off 2 huge holes

CYs mom knows how to knock off 2 huge holes

 

[Southcack77]

I do not really see how there is a lot of information to go on as far as the extent of the budget, but generally speaking the Braves don't love feee agency.

In my mind, the trade for a somewhat expensive utility man this early suggests some money to work with.

But who knows? We'll find out.

 

[Enscheff]

Look at past budgets, then rub 2 brain cells together to estimate the 2026 budget.

 

[bravesnumberone]

81 days until pitchers and catchers report. Today would be a tremendous day for AA to add a legitimate outfielder or high caliber starting pitcher.

 

[Hudson2]

Curious what AA's next move is. I still believe Dubon is the key utility player now and a pretty damn good one. I'm guessing an OF will be last unless he gets a really good deal.

 

[Enscheff]

The motivation behind adding an OF/DH is to replace Ozuna’s offensive production with someone who can play OF well enough to let Acuna rotate through DH.

Dubs is certainly not that because his bat barely plays at SS, much less in the OF. He only serves as a legit backup plan at SS and 2B in the event Albies still has wrist/approach issues. The addition of Dubs makes an OFer more important than a SS.

Buxton would be the most exciting addition since the Upton brothers were acquired.

 

[UNCBlue012]

The motivation behind adding an OF/DH is to replace Ozuna’s offensive production with someone who can play OF well enough to let Acuna rotate through DH.

Dubs is certainly not that because his bat barely plays at SS, much less in the OF. He only serves as a legit backup plan at SS and 2B in the event Albies still has wrist/approach issues. The addition of Dubs makes an OFer more important than a SS.

Buxton would be the most exciting addition since the Upton brothers were acquired.

Yeah, Buxton definitely seems like a long shot, but there’s no doubt he’d be a perfect fit, and the contract is totally manageable. That would reasonably leave enough for another impact starter or bullpen arm.

Acuña RF/DH
Buxton OF/DH
Olson 1B
Riley 3B
Profar LF/DH
Baldwin/Murphy C
Albies 2B
Harris CF
Dubon SS

 

[Hudson2]

Yeah, Buxton definitely seems like a long shot, but there’s no doubt he’d be a perfect fit, and the contract is totally manageable. That would reasonably leave enough for another impact starter or bullpen arm.

Acuña RF/DH
Buxton OF/DH
Olson 1B
Riley 3B
Profar LF/DH
Baldwin/Murphy C
Albies 2B
Harris CF
Dubon SS

Even with Buxton if those bottom 3 crap the bed we probably have a repeat of this year. SS will have to get an upgrade of some kind. Dubon is an excellent super sub though. Buxton, Kim, and Cease would push this team back to being a WS contender. With Kim and Buxton you could probably get a lesser SP and be ok. If Looez and Holmes really are healthy those 2 plus Ritchie, Elder, and Wentz gives us a lot of SP depth.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Even with Buxton if those bottom 3 crap the bed we probably have a repeat of this year. SS will have to get an upgrade of some kind. Dubon is an excellent super sub though. Buxton, Kim, and Cease would push this team back to being a WS contender. With Kim and Buxton you could probably get a lesser SP and be ok. If Looez and Holmes really are healthy those 2 plus Ritchie, Elder, and Wentz gives us a lot of SP depth.

I just don't see a way that we are able to fill every need with an impact player if we only have like $35M or so left. If we're closer to $50M (which isn't likely), then sure. Maybe we do a big trade and take care of two needs at once, but that's not Alex's MO. I think people need to be OK (even reluctantly) with the team going into next year with roster holes. Unfortunately, every team not named the Dodgers do it.

 

[Hudson2]

I just don't see a way that we are able to fill every need with an impact player if we only have like $35 or so left. If we're closer to $50M (which isn't likely), then sure. Maybe we do a big trade and take care of two needs at once, but that's not Alex's MO. I think people need to be OK (even reluctantly) with the team going into next year with roster holes. Unfortunately, every team not named the Dodgers do it.

AA will make a big trade for sure to fill 1 or 2 of those holes. The other will be with a non QO FA imo. He's not giving up a draft pick with the extra Baldwin pick and draft money now. Gray and Winn still make the most sense with the Cards eating money.

 

[CyYoung31]

I just don't see a way that we are able to fill every need with an impact player if we only have like $35 or so left. If we're closer to $50M (which isn't likely), then sure. Maybe we do a big trade and take care of two needs at once, but that's not Alex's MO. I think people need to be OK (even reluctantly) with the team going into next year with roster holes. Unfortunately, every team not named the Dodgers do it.

Not sure $35 will get anybody these days.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Not sure $35 will get anybody these days.

About seven visits from your mom