2025-2026 offseason thread

[Enscheff]

FWIW I was off by a bit after the Kim signing. Fangraphs currently has the Braves with 45.8 WAR which is a 93-94 win season.

The difference this year is the depth behind the frontline players is light years better than in recent seasons. So while the frontline players are declining, the next level of talent is actually MLB caliber and this roster can weather 1-2 injuries. In the past the roster could not weather a single injury without putting a sub-replacement level player in the lineup. It was literally the "stars and scrubs" approach to roster building, and now it's closer to the "no scrubs" approach.

That's called "raising the floor of the team", and it would have been nice if AA figured out how to do that in previous seasons. Better late than never, I guess.

Now he needs to get the best SP he can afford, and get ready to chase another ring.

 

[cajunrevenge]

Only downside for Elder is no options so either he breaks camp as the 5th or pitches out of the bullpen.

I think they run a 6 man rotation to start the season. 13 straight games but no division games. I think they really want Holmes to start. Leaving Wentz as the long reliever and Waldrep at AAA. Injuries/bad performance should make room for Waldrep after a few weeks.

 

[Hulavol]

As mentioned above, and discussed many times before around here - you need about 12-13 starting pitchers these days and try to have four of the best ones ready for October…. So guys like Holmes and Elder are much more valuable than they used to be…

 

[Enscheff]

I think they run a 6 man rotation to start the season. 13 straight games but no division games. I think they really want Holmes to start. Leaving Wentz as the long reliever and Waldrep at AAA. Injuries/bad performance should make room for Waldrep after a few weeks.

I think you're spot on. The likelihood of all the Braves injury-prone SPs being healthy on opening day is virtually 0%.

Elder is cheap and can be unloaded whenever. Keep him around as depth as long as possible.

 

[thewupk]

As mentioned above, and discussed many times before around here - you need about 12-13 starting pitchers these days and try to have four of the best ones ready for October…. So guys like Holmes and Elder are much more valuable than they used to be…

Indeed. I think it would be foolish to jettison quality depth (Elder) just because someone like Grant Holmes may be a better 5th starter.

These things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[UNCBlue012]

The Braves are shopping Aaron Bummer in hopes to clear roster space, per sources.

We have $85M coming off the books next year, so a large contract is fine. The issue is this season since we have around $20M (including $10M for the Trade Deadline). So, this would give them closer to $30M to play with and plenty of room to add a big starter.

 

[thewupk]

The Braves are shopping Aaron Bummer in hopes to clear roster space, per sources.

We have $85M coming off the books next year, so a large contract is fine. The issue is this season since we have around $20M (including $10M for the Trade Deadline). So, this would give them closer to $30M to play with and plenty of room to add a big starter.

Would be a bummer for opposing teams if we added a TOR to the rotation.

 

[Super]

The Braves are shopping Aaron Bummer in hopes to clear roster space, per sources.

We have $85M coming off the books next year, so a large contract is fine. The issue is this season since we have around $20M (including $10M for the Trade Deadline). So, this would give them closer to $30M to play with and plenty of room to add a big starter.

Was walking my dog one time when a guy in a pest control truck stopped me and asked how to get out of my neighborhood. After I told him, he offered me a container of Wawa buffalo chicken bites, of which he had already eaten one. I think that’s around the return I’d expect for Bummer.

 

[Carp]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001340425660158208

That isn't necessarily a good thing. Maybe Sale can be replaced internally if one of the young guns hit. But that's a big task. And we still need a more permanent plan for SS and we'll also have to rebuild the pen again.

 

[Carp]

...and what I'm saying is we get all giddy thinking Sale, Strider, Schwellenbach are going to have 96 starts. I have no problem projecting 100 wins if they d. But they won't, and we won't. Because every pitcher is required to overthrow what their body infrastructure is really capable of just to have a job. So you need five more in order to replace the ones in the shop. Ours have names like Wentz and Elder.

I don't suspect our top 5 pitchers will throw 25+ starts. But Elder is currently pretty far down the totem pole for extended starts, and that's before we sign/trade for another SP like AA claims he is looking for.

 

[Carp]

Brad Keller to Phillies 2 years $22m

Dang I would have done that, even if he's only a RP.

 

[Carp]

Elder isnt that bad as a #5.


We were 14-14 in Elders starts. He averaged 5.5 IP per start. 14 Quality starts. Went 7 innings or more 6 times. He wasnt the reason we lost in 2025. A .500 record from your 5th starter who can also go deep into games for near league minimum is an asset.

He has the highest ERA in baseball over the last 2+ seasons.

He was 8-11 overall. And we went 14-14 in his starts because he had the best run support on the staff.

So yes, he is indeed that bad. Whatever you think he can provide can be EASILY replaced by a number of pitchers currently on our roster. If he had options then sure, keep him on the 40 man. But it would be egregious to start the year with Elder in the rotation and Waldrep in AAA. You can find a Bryce Elder anywhere.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Dang I would have done that, even if he's only a RP.

Agreed. All indications are that AA is just all-in on finding a big-time starter right now. One more reliable both an arm would make me feel a lot better, but I don't think it's quite the priority that another starter is.

 

[Hudson2]

Bummer would be a straight salary dump and being a lefty somebody would probably bite.

 

[UNCBlue012]

Bummer wouldn't a straight salary dump and being a lefty somebody would probably bite.

He was also very good last year in pure relief. His ERA was inflated due to starting. Dude was solid otherwise

 

[Hudson2]

I know it's a super long shot but we'll need another good lefty in the rotation next year if Sale is gone. Skubal js a FA and with the money we would have we could chase him.

 

[seanyates]

I'd just rather give an opportunity to guys like Ritchie or Burkhalter than keep Elder on the roster, especially if keeping Elder means Waldrep is in AAA.

 

[Carp]

9.5 million is not very good value for a guy like Bummer. I think we'll need to eat a little to move him.

We didn't think Pierce Johnson was worth 7 million, and he's a better pitcher than Bummer.

 

[UNCBlue012]

I'd just rather give an opportunity to guys like Ritchie or Burkhalter than keep Elder on the roster, especially if keeping Elder means Waldrep is in AAA.

I legitimately understand the rationale, but the idea of starting Elder in the rotation and sending Waldrep down due to having options makes me want to rip my hair out. One guy has a shot at being a super solid MLB pitcher, while the other is literally just fodder for when people get hurt.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

9.5 million is not very good value for a guy like Bummer. I think we'll need to eat a little to move him.

We didn't think Pierce Johnson was worth 7 million, and he's a better pitcher than Bummer.

Bummer might be a good enough lefty reliever that a richer team might give us a $1 scratch off ticket for him and take his whole salary. If used correctly, Bummer isn't horrible.. just never used right here and he shouldn't be a high leverage reliever unless it is against 2 lefties.