MLB insider makes three bold predictions for the Braves

Once again, Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk is spouting off about the team’s desire to boast a top-five payroll in baseball, hinting at a potentially aggressive offseason.

“I think aiming back to the top five is a place that I want to get to,” McGuirk said. “I think we’re capable of that.”

Understandably, Braves fans are in a collective I’ll believe it when I see it mindset. This isn’t the first time McGuirk and Alex Anthopoulos have made similar promises. Just last year, both insisted payroll would rise, only for it to drop by more than $30 million from 2024 to 2025.

But with so many glaring holes to fill, the Braves will have no choice but to spend if they want to return to championship contention. That’s why MLB insider Bob Nightengale is predicting Atlanta to be among the offseason’s most aggressive spenders.

“Atlanta: President Terry McGuirk recently told shareholders they plan to be a top-five payroll team, which means adding about $50 million to their player budget,” Nightengale wrote.

In a separate USA Today Sports feature, several writers offered predictions for where the offseason’s biggest free agents might land, and Nightengale pegged two of them to sign with the Braves: shortstop Bo Bichette and right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease.

I’ve said since Bichette’s name first surfaced in connection to Atlanta that I view it as a long shot, even given the Braves’ desperate need at shortstop. He’s going to get paid handsomely, and the truth is, he’s not really a shortstop anymore. For a team with an opening at second or third base, Bichette would make much more sense. His days at shortstop may already be behind him.

Cease, on the other hand, feels a bit more realistic. The Braves were reportedly interested in him a couple of offseasons ago before he was ultimately dealt to the Padres, and Anthopoulos has made a habit of chasing big-name starters year after year. Those pursuits haven’t often resulted in signings, but maybe this is the offseason he finally pushes his chips in and pays top dollar for a true game-changing arm