ATLANTA, Ga. — Five years after their last World Series title, the Braves head into another winter with the same unanswered question that has followed them since: how to get past the National League Division Series.
Starting pitching sits at the top of the list. If the 2027 season began now, Chris Sale, Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes would be the top three starters, with JR Ritchie, AJ Smith-Shawver and Owen Murphy among the other candidates. Even with optimistic projections, the club appears to need two more starters.
Didier Fuentes is the wild card. The 21-year-old threw 80 1/3 innings, playoffs included, as a reliever and looks like a future starter, though the Braves may want to keep him near 130 innings next season. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, both coming off right elbow injuries, cannot be counted on as dependable rotation pieces.
Two franchise cornerstones also face contract decisions. Ronald Acuña Jr. is in the first of two option years on his deal, while Ozzie Albies is in the second of two, meaning the Braves must choose whether to pick up each option or let the player reach free agency. Those calls are due within five days after the World Series.
Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, closed the regular season with seven homers and a .997 OPS over his final 26 games but battled two left hamstring strains and right knee discomfort in the postseason.
The club also must decide on Jurickson Profar, who is owed $15 million in the final year of a three-year deal after a 162-game performance-enhancing drug suspension wiped out his 2026 season.
On offense, the Braves ranked among the top two in baseball through the end of May and then among the five least productive over the next four months. Tyler Mahle and Mauricio Dubón have both expressed interest in returning, and a reunion with Raisel Iglesias could be possible at the right price.
