Another Braves offseason need has revealed itself in a big way

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos has a ton of things to consider this offseason, but he should know standing pat and running things back is not an option. Some pretty severe changes have to be made if this club is going to get back to being a World Series contender in 2026.

The pitching staff remains the most pressing concern. The rotation badly needs another frontline starter, and the bullpen could benefit from a near-total overhaul. The lineup also requires attention, with shortstop lingering as an unresolved issue since Dansby Swanson left three years ago. It’s past time the Braves addressed it, even if it’s one of the most difficult positions to solve.

Another need has recently become more apparent, designated hitter. Marcell Ozuna is set to become a free agent. It’s possible the Braves consider bringing him back, but he’ll be 35 years old next season and there’s still some uncertainty surrounding the tear in his hip that’s plagued him since April.

Additionally, the Braves might also not be interested in having a DH that cannot play in the field at all. There have to be real concerns about Ronald Acuña Jr. playing everyday in right field, given his injury history, and Jurickson Profar has proven to be a defensive liability in left field.

The issue has been magnified by Atlanta’s reliance on its catchers to fill the DH role. Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy carried the load for a stretch, and while there were flashes of promise, the results made it clear neither is a long-term solution. Murphy is a defensive cornerstone, but his bat has been middling. He’s hitting just .202 with a .693 OPS since the start of last season. Baldwin is better offensively, but not enough to warrant regular DH duties.

The good news is finding a hefty fella that can do nothing but mash baseballs a few times a game typically isn’t very expensive. Marcell Ozuna likely won’t be looking for anything more than a two-year contract this offseason in the $10-15 million AAV range. There will also be some better options available that shouldn’t cost much more. It won’t be the most expensive fix, but it is an area that needs to be addressed in the winter.