As the Atlanta Braves head into the offseason, they find themselves in a strong position following a successful regular season and playoff run. However, one glaring weakness remains: the need to bolster their pitching depth, particularly in the starting rotation and bullpen. While the Braves have a high-powered offense led by stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley, their pitching vulnerabilities were exposed in key games, underscoring an area that demands attention.
The Braves’ rotation, anchored by ace Max Fried and young talent Spencer Strider, performed well through most of the season but struggled with consistency beyond its top-tier starters. Injuries and inconsistency from other rotation members showed the need for reliable, middle-rotation arms who can eat up innings and provide stability. Adding one or two dependable starters would help ease the workload on Fried and Strider and give the Braves more options in high-leverage games.
In the bullpen, Atlanta has seen solid performances from closer Raisel Iglesias and setup man A.J. Minter, but the relief corps lacks depth, especially in middle relief. Too often, the Braves were forced to rely on a few key arms, leaving them vulnerable in extended series. Strengthening the bullpen with versatile relievers could significantly reduce the wear on the current staff and help protect late-game leads.
The Braves have the talent to remain contenders, but addressing these pitching gaps in the offseason is essential. By shoring up their rotation and bullpen, they can turn a good season into a championship-caliber campaign and keep their sights set on another World Series title.