It really is a pleasure to be a Braves fan and get to read smart articles like these—so thank you for that.
As for the roster, I’m firmly in the stand-pat camp right now. If one of the QO guys is still hanging around after the qualifying offer drops off and wants to come in on a shorter deal, great. I’m all for it. But since that’s probably not how it usually plays out, I’m totally fine rolling with what we have.
What I’m really excited about is seeing what the new pitching coach can do with this group. There’s a ton of talent here, but a lot of these guys fall into that 4th/5th starter bucket and just need consistency. Early in the season, let’s see what Hefner can do with pitchers who are either on the cusp of being MLB-ready or, frankly, a little long in the tooth and in need of steady mechanics—like my favorite Braves fifth starter ever (since Kent Mercker), Bryce Elder.
By midseason, I honestly think JR Ritchie, Didier, and possibly Luke Sinnard could be kicking doors down. I also see guys like Lara and Burkhalter settling into bullpen roles and doing really well there.
And then there’s the depth everyone forgets about. Hurston Waldrep should be in AAA, stretched out and ready to jump in at the first injury. If Hefner can help him tighten the command, simplify the approach, and keep the stuff in the zone, Waldrep could be a real weapon.
Same thing with Joey Wentz and Grant Holmes. Even if both start the year in the bullpen as long men, that flexibility is huge. Those are guys who can soak up innings, spot start, or step into the rotation if needed. And honestly, if things break right, they’re also the type of arms that could allow the Braves to move on from or release another fringe arm without blinking — because they know Wentz and Holmes can cover innings competently.
That’s how you survive 162 games. That’s how the Braves always seem to find a guy.
So yeah, I’m very comfortable standing pat…
Which of course probably guarantees we’ll make a move anyway.
This is very well said. I'm really banking on the new pitching coach to get both a lot of these fringe guys and high-level prospects acclimated and improved
And nothing would make me happier than Elder settling into a solid number four, inning eating role
Thanks for this perspective. When AA said he wanted to add an impact starter at the end of the season, he should’ve added “at the right price”. The price for starters whether it’s an FA or via trade don’t make any sense. We’d all love to see Peralta on the Braves. But trading two top 100 prospects for one year of service is nuts. And an extension is likely to be >5 years and close to $200 million. The risk of pitcher fragility is very high, just look at the Braves last year. We could list a dozen of other examples (Cole, Nola, Wheeler…). The risk of relying on controllable emerging pitchers, which is a Braves strength, is probably much lower than making an enormous bet on a veteran. Let’s go with the young guys for SP depth.
Good info. Especially liked spotlighting Verlander's dependency on orange 😊.
You have to respect the Mets and Dodgers going all-out for '26, especially with '27 probably being a major lockout aberration. We mid-level franchises can only hope for a complete sweep of miraculously and totally healed elbows or shoulders, and the one healthy but aged elbow (Sale) enduring into the playoffs.
It really is a pleasure to be a Braves fan and get to read smart articles like these—so thank you for that.
As for the roster, I’m firmly in the stand-pat camp right now. If one of the QO guys is still hanging around after the qualifying offer drops off and wants to come in on a shorter deal, great. I’m all for it. But since that’s probably not how it usually plays out, I’m totally fine rolling with what we have.
What I’m really excited about is seeing what the new pitching coach can do with this group. There’s a ton of talent here, but a lot of these guys fall into that 4th/5th starter bucket and just need consistency. Early in the season, let’s see what Hefner can do with pitchers who are either on the cusp of being MLB-ready or, frankly, a little long in the tooth and in need of steady mechanics—like my favorite Braves fifth starter ever (since Kent Mercker), Bryce Elder.
By midseason, I honestly think JR Ritchie, Didier, and possibly Luke Sinnard could be kicking doors down. I also see guys like Lara and Burkhalter settling into bullpen roles and doing really well there.
And then there’s the depth everyone forgets about. Hurston Waldrep should be in AAA, stretched out and ready to jump in at the first injury. If Hefner can help him tighten the command, simplify the approach, and keep the stuff in the zone, Waldrep could be a real weapon.
Same thing with Joey Wentz and Grant Holmes. Even if both start the year in the bullpen as long men, that flexibility is huge. Those are guys who can soak up innings, spot start, or step into the rotation if needed. And honestly, if things break right, they’re also the type of arms that could allow the Braves to move on from or release another fringe arm without blinking — because they know Wentz and Holmes can cover innings competently.
That’s how you survive 162 games. That’s how the Braves always seem to find a guy.
So yeah, I’m very comfortable standing pat…
Which of course probably guarantees we’ll make a move anyway.
Just saying.
This is very well said. I'm really banking on the new pitching coach to get both a lot of these fringe guys and high-level prospects acclimated and improved
And nothing would make me happier than Elder settling into a solid number four, inning eating role
Thanks for this perspective. When AA said he wanted to add an impact starter at the end of the season, he should’ve added “at the right price”. The price for starters whether it’s an FA or via trade don’t make any sense. We’d all love to see Peralta on the Braves. But trading two top 100 prospects for one year of service is nuts. And an extension is likely to be >5 years and close to $200 million. The risk of pitcher fragility is very high, just look at the Braves last year. We could list a dozen of other examples (Cole, Nola, Wheeler…). The risk of relying on controllable emerging pitchers, which is a Braves strength, is probably much lower than making an enormous bet on a veteran. Let’s go with the young guys for SP depth.
Good info. Especially liked spotlighting Verlander's dependency on orange 😊.
You have to respect the Mets and Dodgers going all-out for '26, especially with '27 probably being a major lockout aberration. We mid-level franchises can only hope for a complete sweep of miraculously and totally healed elbows or shoulders, and the one healthy but aged elbow (Sale) enduring into the playoffs.
Did the Braves make an offer for Mackenzie Gore ?
Or would Washington even trade him to a division rival ?
I looked, but there's just no transaction history for Paul Toboni (he's a first-time GM) to know if he's made an intra-division trade.
But with as thorough as AA reportedly is, I'm sure he at least reached out to gauge the possibility.
I investigated the 5 prospects Texas gave for Gore.
No way in hell could the.Braves have matched that package. No depth in our Farm System.Makes me feel a little better.
And yeah, i wouldn't have traded for Peralta without an extension. So i can't feel bad about missing Peralta.
Mets are probably confident they can pay him whatever it takes to keep him