Now that he’s determined Brian Snitker’s replacement, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos needs to give Weiss the strongest roster possible. His attempt will be made easier if Atlanta does indeed end up with a top-five payroll. Braves chairman Terry McGuirk stated this as a wish when he spoke to investors during a Braves Holdings LLC earnings call this week.
Saying this one day and then declining the options of two key relievers (Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley) might seem contradictory. But it seems like the Braves are just trying to better allocate the combined $12.5 million they would have owed the two relievers in 2026.
Yes, they now will need to find two pitchers to fill those bullpen spots. But it’s easier to find comparable relievers at a cheaper price than it is to attempt to find comparable value with more economical options when it comes to starting pitchers and position players.
What would it mean for the Braves to be a top-five payroll in 2026? Well, the luxury tax payroll sits around $185-190 million (depending on total arbitration costs). The Blue Jays had the fifth-highest payroll in 2025 at $239.6 million. That figure would still be under the first luxury tax threshold which is $244 million for 2026.
Having reset their luxury tax in 2025, the Braves could exceed that first threshold again, like they did in ‘23 and ‘24. But for now, let’s just say Atlanta could have anywhere between $50-55 million to spend while attempting to find a shortstop, a starting pitcher and possibly another outfielder to compensate for what had been projected from Marcell Ozuna before his production declined this year.
And yes, there will be a need to add at least one reliever -- one who could fill the closing role that Raisel Iglesias handled this past year. You have to wonder if by not trading Iglesias in July, the Braves might get some level of discount if they attempt to re-sign him this winter.
