The Atlanta Braves’ offseason got started earlier than hoped after the Braves got bounced in the NLDS by the Phillies once again. Eddie Rosario played their brains out and deserve credit for that, but it sure didn’t help that the Braves’ record-breaking offense failed to show up in the series and the pitching staff gave up some big swings and big innings in route to early playoff exit.
While you don’t want to draw too many conclusions about the results of a short series because, well, it is just four games, what was laid bare was that the Braves had a real depth problem with their pitching staff heading into the playoffs. Max Fried’s recovery from a blister went down to the wire, Charlie Morton and Eddie Rosario were out due to injuries, and Atlanta simply didn’t have a lot of arms in the bullpen that they could completely trust. In the postseason, that is a big problem and one that we could see them try to fix heading into 2024.
Here are 8 Atlanta Braves players that won’t be coming back in 2024
For the most part, the Braves’ offense is set. While they didn’t have a good series against the Phillies, the lineup is Atlanta’s strength right now. It is possible that we could see them address left field during the offseason, but exercising Eddie Rosario’s relatively inexpensive option for 2024 seems more likely. The bulk of the roster turnover next season seems likely to come with the Braves’ pitching staff which has several pending free agents and contract options that may necessitate some tough choices.
Lets take a look at the Braves players that may not be coming back next season.
Collin McHugh
If you asked most neutral observers before the 2023 season, they would have probably told you that Atlanta exercising Collin McHugh’s $6 million option for next season was a mortal lock. He was tremendous for the Braves in 2022 with a 2.60 ERA with encouraging peripherals and he could pitch multiple innings if need be. Getting anywhere close to that for $6 million is a no-brainer.
However, that is decidedly not how things went in 2023 and his future with the Braves is in question as a result. Not only was McHugh rough when he was on the mound with a 4.30 ERA in 41 appearances while seeing his strikeout and walk rates head in the wrong direction, but he also dealt with shoulder issues off and on throughout the 2023 season.
As good as McHugh was last year, the reality is that relievers are the most volatile commodity in baseball and Collin is 36 years old and coming off a bad, injury-riddled season. Maybe he can bounce back and be close to what he was, but Atlanta can’t bank on that happening at this stage of his career. With the free agent and trade markets likely to have a bunch of interesting relief options available, the Braves need to move on here unless he is willing to come back on a cheaper, non-guaranteed deal.
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