The Atlanta Braves had a relatively quiet offseason after getting bounced in the Wild Card round of the 2024 playoffs. They lost All-Star pitcher Max Fried but brought in outfielder Jurickson Profar on a three-year, $42 million contract. The Braves are also counting on in-house help when Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider return from injuries. Here are the five major questions facing the Braves heading into the 2025 season.
What can Braves expect from Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider?
The Braves squeaked into the playoffs on the final game of the season last year without both All-Stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. Acuña suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee last May, while Strider was limited to just two starts after doctors inserted an internal brace into his right (pitching) elbow. Strider is expected to return to the rotation at the end of April, while Acuña should be back in May. Can they regain their All-Star forms? The Braves will need them to if they are going to make a big postseason run.
Related: Ronald Acuña Jr. updates recovery timeline for Atlanta Braves return
What will Jurickson Profar live up to his contract?
The only splashy free-agent signing the Atlanta Braves made was inking outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42 million deal. Profar is coming off the best season of his career, making his first All-Star team as he hit 24 home runs, scored 94 runs, with an .839 OPS, 134 OPS+, and accumulating a 3.6 bWAR. However, Profar has only had one other season where he posted at least a 3.0 bWAR and two other seasons with at least 20 home runs. He has a below average 98 OPS+ for his career. With the money Atlanta shelled out, they’re expecting the All-Star version of Profar the next three years. If not, the signing will be maligned quickly.
Related: Atlanta Braves Sign All-Star Jurickson Profar: 6 Winners And Losers, Including Philadelphia Phillies
Can Braves rotation overcome key departures in Max Fried and Charlie Morton?
The Braves’ rotation took a major hit this offseason, losing Max Fried and Charlie Morton. That’s 59 starts and 339 2/3 innings Atlanta needs to fill. The rotation currently consists of reigning National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale, All-Star Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach, with Strider expected to make his return by the end of April. The Braves have depth to fill out the rotation with Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Grant Holmes, and Ian Anderson. Holmes and Anderson are both out of options, while Anderson hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022. Strider’s return will help offset the losses, but they will need to count on their depth to cover those innings.
Related: Atlanta Braves to be without star player for first month of season
Can Matt Olson and Austin Riley have bounce-back seasons?
After having dominant seasons in 2023, both Matt Olson and Austin Riley regressed in 2024. Olson’s numbers plummeted across the board: home runs (54 to 29), RBI (139 to 98), batting average (.283 to .247), slugging percentage (.604 to .457), OPS (.993 to .780), OPS+ (164 to 118), and bWAR (7.4 to 3.8). As for Riley, he suffered a broken right hand in August and missed the rest of the season. His home run total (37 to 19), OPS (.861 to .783), OPS+ (130 to 115), and bWAR (5.9 to 2.9) all declined significantly. With Acuña returning and Profar now in the lineup, the Braves need their two mashers back to All-Star form to make a championship run.
Related: Atlanta Braves game today: Scores, start times and TV info for the upcoming 2025 Braves schedule
Can Braves bullpen continue excellence into 2025?
The Braves had one of the best bullpens in baseball last year. Atlanta relievers finished third in ERA in MLB (3.32), second in fewest earned runs allowed (199), fifth in fewest home runs allowed (57), and sixth in WHIP. Led by closer Raisel Iglesias, the bullpen boasts Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson, and Aaron Bummer. They did lose A.J. Minter, Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek, and the ageless Jesse Chavez in free agency, but those roles are expected to be filled by Daysbel Hernandez, Angel Perdomo, Buck Farmer, and Anderson Pilar. Atlanta will need their bullpen to continue to dominate in the late innings if they want to recapture the National League East crown.
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