Narratives aside, Braves’ course seems clear after NLDS disappointment.

ATLANTA — Some facts are difficult to accept after the Atlanta b  Braves’ second consecutive disappointing postseason: that the most potent offense in baseball had a four-game slump at the worst time, that a freak finger injury sidelined their most accomplished postseason starter, Charlie Morton, and a layoff from a recent finger blister diminished their ace, Max Fried.

nd there are inevitable narratives that spewed forth immediately after a repeat NLDS loss to the rival Philadelphia Phillies, and have continued mostly unabated: that the Braves are missing a fiery clubhouse leader, that they need one more big bat, that they definitely need another top-of-the-rotation starter because they cannot rely on those they have to stay healthy — since it just can’t be coincidence or terrible luck, can it?

But 2 1/2 months later, after settling of dust and a sober analysis by Braves officials convinced them that their offense is championship caliber, and the rotation isn’t perfect but is far from a weakness that must be improved at any cost, it seems clear that a couple of less-sexy offseason plans emerged:

1. Get a top-of-the-rotation starter and strengthen the bullpen by bringing back its core contributors and adding a couple of more power arms, including at least one lefty.

2. If such a top-tier starter does not fit the 2024 budget or free-agent contract demands are too lengthy, make less resounding improvement(s) to the rotation while proceeding to construct a bullpen so absolutely stocked with high-leverage power arms that any potential rotation shortcomings will not doom Atlanta in the postseason. That formula yielded great results for the Braves in 2021.