The Braves have been relatively quiet to this point in the winter, having done little to this point beyond trade to the Angels at the start of the offseason. Thats created the impre sion of a club being cautious about its payroll situation this winter, when they stand at risk of surpa sing the luxury tax for a third consecutive year, which would come with stiff tax penalties and cause the first-round pick in the 2026 draft to move back ten spots. Despite the clubs slow start to the winter, however, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told reporters (including ) that the club is willing to surpa s the luxury tax for a third consecutive year to addre s the clubs needs this winter. According to OBrien, the clubs initial plans for the offseason were scuttled when they received worrisome medical updates regarding stars and as well as reliever . Neither Acuna nor Strider is expected to be ready for Opening Day as things stand, and OBrien adds that both could be out of action well into May. That news, in conjunction with the lo s of Jimenez to for most or all of the 2025 campaign, left the Braves to look for ways to free up salary. Per OBrien, the club likely wouldnt have of and nor declined the club option of veteran catcher had these injuries not put additional pre sure on the club to pursue help in the outfield, rotation, and bullpen. Of those three areas of the roster, the outfield appears to be the most pre sing for the club to addre s. OBrien notes that the Braves may prefer to be extra cautious with Acuna next season in the aftermath of his second torn ACL in four seasons, particularly after he struggled (at least relative to his own elite Taylor Trammell Jersey standards) in 2022 after returning to the lineup as soon as po sible. Thats led the club to thanks to the relatively lackluster in-house alternatives of , and as options to pair with and on the gra s until Acuna returns. On the pitching side of things, however, the Braves seemingly have more comfort with their internal options. Reigning NL Cy Young award winner figures to be joined by Lopez and rookie in the clubs Opening Day rotation for 2025, and the club has a large number of po sible internal options to handle the other two rotation spots including , , , and among others, but Anthopoulos suggested one surprising internal candidate for a rotation job as well: right-hander . The 28-year-old made his MLB debut for the Braves this past season and excelled in a swing role for the club with a 3.56 ERA and 3.20 FIP in 68 1/3 innings of work split between seven starts and 19 relief appearances. Given Holmess apparent comfort moving between the rotation and bullpen, he could prove to be a sensible choice to fill in for Strider in the clubs Opening Day rotation before moving into a relief role once the hard-throwing righty returns to action. Similarly, OBrien notes that Anthopoulos expre sed interest in using right-hander in a set-up role in 2025 to help make up for the lo s of Jimenez. Hernandez pitched just 18 innings for Atlanta in 2024 acro s 16 appearances, but he made a strong impre sion in that limited time with a 2.50 ERA, a 35.1% strikeout rate, and a 2.11 FIP. One other option to help make up for the lo s of Jimenez that OBrien notes could be on the table is a reunion with southpaw . While OBrien suggests that the club might re-sign Minter this winter, one potential wrinkle in bringing Minter back to help ease the lo s of Jimenez is the fact that the lefty might also mi s Opening Day following surgery. Minter underwent back in August, and OBrien notes that its not yet clear whether or not hell be ready to pitch early in the 2025 season. Even setting aside the potential implications Minters health could have on Atlantas interest in a reunion, his injury woes lingering into the season could substantially impact earning power this winter, as well. MLBTR predicted a two-year, $16MM deal for Minter earlier this offseason as part of our annual list, but that prediction came with the presumption that the southpaw would be ready for Opening Day in 2025. If Minters rehab from surgery leaves Opening Day in question for the lefty throughout the offseason, it would hardly be a surprise to see the 31-year-old settle for a one-year deal this winter in hopes of proving himself healthy and having a better chance at a more lucrative multi-year deal next year. Anthony Volpe Jersey