MLB insider shares insight on the Braves’ primary focus

Christmas is fast approaching, the MLB Winter Meetings are nearing an end, and the Braves still haven’t addressed any of their major needs with real certainty.

Raisel Iglesias returning provides clarity in the ninth inning, but the bullpen as a whole still needs a massive overhaul. The Braves have hinted they’re comfortable with Mauricio Dubon as the everyday shortstop, yet continue to explore upgrades at the position. They also need to add a starting pitcher, and with Marcell Ozuna now a free agent, another bat is a must.

It’s not going to be cheap for the Braves to get back to championship contention, and the reality is they probably don’t have enough financial flexibility to fix everything with top-tier talent. They’ll likely have to zero in on one or two areas and act decisively. According to MLB insider Buster Olney, that focus appears to be on the pitching staff.

“My sense of Alex Anthopoulos is his focus — and I’ve heard this a lot from agents — is pitching, and pitching, and pitching,” Olney said. “I think that Framber Valdez would be a really nice fit there.”

Valdez is expected to command a contract nearing $200 million, if not more. To this point, the largest free-agent deal Alex Anthopoulos has ever handed out is Marcell Ozuna’s $65 million contract. That has to change eventually, and the Braves were serious bidders for Aaron Nola a couple offseasons ago before he signed for $172 million to stay in Philadelphia. Still, with so many holes to fill, it would be surprising if they put all their eggs in one basket for Valdez.

That said, the idea that pitching is the Braves’ primary focus feels spot-on. Outside of 2024, the rotation has continually been short-handed, and the bullpen desperately needs 2–3 proven high-leverage arms. Significant resources are required to rebuild this staff. But in that same breath, Alex Anthopoulos has never been afraid to zag when everyone expects him to zig. If the right opportunity presents itself to add a game-changing bat, a sudden pivot wouldn’t shock anyone.