The Atlanta Braves came into the regular season hoping to be World Series contenders as one of the best teams in the National League. However, Atlanta enters MLB games today well below the .500 mark with all eyes on the club more than a month out from the MLB trade deadline.
After speaking to people around the league, The Athletic‘s Jim Bowden reports that the Braves are still expected to operate as buyers this summer, focusing on moves to improve the 2025 roster. Specifically, Atlanta will be focused on landing pitchers in July.
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- Atlanta Braves rotation stats (FanGraphs): 3.68 ERA (12th), 1.22 WHIP (10th), .234 batting average allowed (11th) in 386.1 innings pitched
The Braves rotation has been a relative strength this season, recording the 12th-most quality starts (32) n 69 games played and placing top 12 in major categories. However, AJ Smith-Shawver (3.86 ERA) was recently lost to Tommy John surgery and there’s no timeline for Reynaldo Lopez to rejoin the team.
Meanwhile, Spencer Strider (4.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP) is still working his way back to form following elbow surgery in 2024. Even if he recaptures the level that earned him All-MLB First Team honors in 2023, Atlanta will have him on an innings limit in his first season back.
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- Atlanta Braves bullpen stats (FanGraphs): 3.67 ERA (12th), 1.24 WHIP (12th), .220 batting average allowed (6th) in 223 innings pitched
The Braves bullpen has been fairly effective this season, outside of Raisel Iglesias (6.23 ERA) and Rafael Montero (4.50 ERA). Acquiring more late-inning help could also allow the Braves to use their bullpen more, as the unit currently has the fewest innings pitched in the majors.
What’s become clear is that Atlanta’s sub-.500 record midway through June still hasn’t pushed them towards considering a shift in approach to the MLB trade deadline. While it will be an uphill climb to even catch the San Diego Padres for the NL’s final wild card spot, it appears the Braves will at least make a run at it.
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