Monday, November 02

ATLANTA -- With Election Day upon us, let’s take a look at what a ballot might look like if you could vote on what the Braves must do before the start of the 2027 season. 

FOR LEFT FIELDER

A. Randy Arozarena 

B. Seiya Suzuki

C. Ian Happ

D. Trade

Incumbent: Mike Yastrzemski with a right-handed-hitting platoon partner

Thoughts: Should we first vote on whether the Braves should bring Jurickson Profar back after a second PED suspension? OK, while you’re laughing or cussing, let’s point out how Profar’s absence combined with Austin Riley’s prolonged struggles highlighted the need for a strong right-handed presence in the lineup. The 31-year-old Arozarena and 32-year-old Suzuki would be a fit for Atlanta and a handful of other teams. If demand pushes their cost past a comfort level, the switch-hitting Happ could be a consolation prize. 

As for pairing Yastrzemski with a platoon partner, he got off to a slow start, but he produced a .768 OPS after May 11, with only 22 plate appearances coming against lefties. He’s going to get the majority of plate appearances in a platoon. Is that suitable production from the primary left fielder? Might it be if you could assume Riley will turn things around next year and be that strong right-handed presence this team needs? 

What about Mauricio Dubón? If he returns, he might be best utilized as the everyday shortstop.

FOR STARTING PITCHER

A. Freddy Peralta 

B. Michael King

C. Clay Holmes

D. Trevor Rogers

E. Tyler Mahle

F. Sonny Gray

G. Trade

Thoughts: How many starters do the Braves need? Chris Sale, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder currently stand as the only internal candidates who could be projected to be dependable rotation members during the entirety of the 2027 season. Even if Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are healthy enough to pitch at some point next year, their days as effective starters might be over. The two high-upside rotation options are Didier Fuentes and AJ Smith-Shawver. Fuentes could join the rotation with the plan to limit his regular season workload to 120-130 innings. Smith-Shawver looked more like a one-inning option this year. But further removed from Tommy John surgery, he might be an effective starter. Joey Wentz, JR Ritchie and No. 10 prospect Owen Murphy could provide depth.

If Fuentes is part of the rotation, you can argue the Braves need just one starter. Peralta re-established his market after the Mets traded him to the Rays. King will get a payday after passing on the two years, $53 million he’d have earned had he not opted out of his contract with the Padres. Holmes had success with Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner in New York. Rogers is an option for any team that thinks he can regain the changeup he had in 2025. Gray would be more attractive if you weren’t giving a multi-year deal to a 37-year-old pitcher.

But Mahle makes the most sense from both the team and player perspective. The veteran right-hander had already started to alter his pitch mix before he landed in Atlanta. But he truly thrived when he further reduced his cutter usage after joining the Braves. There would be a lot of happy people to see the 32-year-old back in that clubhouse next year.

FOR BULLPEN

A. Adrian Morejon

B. David Bednar

C. Raisel Iglesias 

D. Brent Suter

Thoughts: Robert Suarez’s velocity was back during his final postseason appearances. So, there’s at least hope that the right elbow discomfort that sidelined him for three months this year won’t be a lingering issue. Were Dylan Lee’s late-season struggles a product of fatigue? And how do you replace Fuentes if he moves to the rotation?  

These are among the variables the Braves will weigh as they reconstruct their bullpen. Ray Kerr’s postseason success creates reason to think he could be a high-leverage piece if necessary. Or maybe he helps fill a rotation void. If so, then Atlanta will need to add multiple relievers this winter.

Reuniting once again with Iglesias makes sense. As does the possibility of relying on Suter’s rubber arm to fill the “Jesse Chavez” role over the entirety of 2027. The bullpen was Atlanta’s strength most of 2026. But it looks like this relief corps will need an addition or two this winter. 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Should the Braves trade Ronald Acuña Jr.?   

A. Yes

B. No

Acuña’s $17 million option for 2027 has been exercised. The 2023 NL MVP’s contract includes one more $17 million option for 2028. Who is he going forward? Is he the guy who produced a .997 OPS over his final 26 regular-season games this year? Or will his two surgically repaired knees continue to limit him? If so, will his value continue to diminish? 

The only reason to deal Acuña would be to gain a significant return, something that likely wouldn’t be provided if trading him next winter, when suitors would gain just one season of control. So, there’s reason to at least ponder the possibility. But at the same time, his September success was a recent reminder he can still be a difference maker from time to time.

• Learn a little more about No. 21 prospect Owen Carey, who continues to exceed expectations

• A look at how No. 3 prospect Tate Southisene and others have fared in the AFL

• Matt Olson and Dubón won NL Gold Glove Awards on Sunday night

Brooks Conrad holds the Atlanta record (since 1966) with the seven pinch-hit home runs over 138 pinch-hit at-bats from 2009-11. But he shares the franchise record with Joe Adcock, who homered seven times in just 56 pinch-hit at-bats from 1954-62. Adcock ended up with 12 homers over the 150 pinch-hit at-bats he totaled as a Major Leaguer. The only other player to hit 12 or more pinch hit homers in 150 at-bats or less? That would be Craig Wilson, who hit 12 in 108 at-bats with the Pirates, Yankees and Braves from 2001-07. He went homerless in the four pinch-hit at-bats he had for Atlanta in 2007.

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