ATLANTA — It has been 103 days since the Braves ended their 2024 season at Petco Park. Another 73 days will pass before they return to this same beautiful ballpark to begin the 2025 season. There’s still time to address roster concerns.
But to stir some debate and highlight the areas of need, here is a way-too-early Opening Day roster prediction. This list should look different when Braves camp opens the week of Feb. 9. It will certainly look different when Opening Day arrives on March 27.
POSITION PLAYERS (13)
Catchers (2): Sean Murphy and Chadwick Tromp
The Braves can give No. 5 prospect Drake Baldwin time to develop while Tromp fills the backup role he capably handled for the first two months of last season.
Infielders (5): Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley and Christian Cairo
Cairo, the son of longtime Major Leaguer Miguel Cairo, was selected out of the Guardians’ system in the Rule 5 Draft. This means he would be placed on outright waivers if removed from the 26-man roster at any point this year. If he clears waivers, the Braves would have to offer him back to Cleveland for $50,000 before gaining the option to outright him to the Minors.
For now we’ll assume Cairo will begin the season with Atlanta. Luke Williams is out of options. But with Eli White’s ability to play the outfield and second base if necessary, I’ll project that White, who is also out of options, gets the nod.
We’ll waste plenty of time in Spring Training debating who should be this year’s Forrest Wall (final bench piece). But coming off a year filled with injuries, should the bench have better insurance? Maybe a non-roster invitee like Garrett Cooper makes more sense.
Or Cooper might make more sense as a backup outfielder, despite the fact he hasn’t played the outfield on a regular basis since 2021.
Cairo or Nick Allen, who was acquired from the A’s this winter, are capable versatile defenders, especially when serving simply as a backup infielder. But again, one year after seeing far too much of Zack Short and Williams, there should be a greater focus on the bench.
Whit Merrifield was a good fit during his time in Atlanta. But a source has said there’s a chance he opts to retire and spend more time with his family.
Braves bench players and salt trucks are rarely used in Atlanta. But as this past weekend proved, they can prove quite valuable when needed.
Outfielders (5): Michael Harris II, Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, Eli White and Garrett Cooper
Ronald Acuña Jr. will likely miss at least six weeks while recovering from knee surgery. So, the only assumption is that Harris will be in center field. Kelenic would likely fill one of the two corner-outfield spots on Opening Day, especially if the Padres start a right-handed pitcher. Kelenic’s struggles against left-handers could lead to having De La Cruz, White or Cooper fill the corner spots when the Braves face a southpaw starter. One other internal option is Carlos Rodriguez, a left-handed-hitting outfielder who has played a little more than a month above the Double-A level.
Designated hitter (1): Marcell Ozuna
Barring an emergency, Ozuna won’t fit into the outfield plans.
PITCHING STAFF (13)
Starting pitchers (5): Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson
Holmes and Anderson are both out of options. They could spend April competing for the right to stay in the rotation after Spencer Strider returns from elbow surgery. Holmes has shown he can be an effective reliever. Anderson will be bidding to regain the success he had before arm issues halted his rise in 2022 and led to Tommy John surgery the next year. Bryce Elder and A.J. Smith-Shawver are the other two top internal options to begin the season in the rotation.
Relief pitchers (8): Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, Dylan Lee, Aaron Bummer, Daysbel Hernández, Anderson Pilar, Angel Perdomo and Allan Winans
Pilar was a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Marlins’ organization. He notched 27 strikeouts and issued two walks in 21 innings during the Dominican Winter League. Perdomo could be this year’s big surprise as he returns from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.72 ERA in 30 appearances for the Pirates before he blew out his elbow in August 2023. With Jesse Chavez likely retiring, you can replace Winans with any name. Or if the Braves sign a starter, Anderson or Holmes could begin the season in that long relief role.
