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David Schoenfield
This was supposed to be the dynasty II in Atlanta.
Since 1991. until 2005. years, the Brave won 14 division titles in 15 seasons, was missing only during the 1994 strike. Years. From 2018. until 2024. years, the Brave won six heads of departments in seven seasons, was missing only last year, when they still made playoffs. In addition to the road, they won the world series in 2021. years, they had back in 2022. And ’23, and presented one of the most powerful teams that became the first team that became the first team that became the first team.
Although three postseans ended in early defeat, the brave was built a team that was the envy of the front office around the league: not only have developed young talent, but signed Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer is progressing, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy and Reinaldo Lopez To long-term contracts, with several those considered especially team offers. With Acun and Strider returning from injuries, the brave was a favorite division entering the season.
Instead, she was a disaster. Brave went from 0-6 on the way to open season on the road against San Diego Padres and Los Angeles DodgersScoring only 14 runs in six games. They returned over .500 once, at 24. until 23. May, but the seven game that lost the stripe for the beginning of June has led to a horrible two months. Although they played better in August, it is too late, because braver seems to be the first waste of the season since 2017. Years.
What went wrong?
And can the courses recover?
While going from 104 victories in the losing record in two years, it feels unusual, it is difficult without precedent. Since 1961. 76 teams won 100 games. Eighteen these teams had a losing season within two years. Recently, 2022 New York Mets He won 101 matches and lost the track next season (although they refused to be players in 2024. years made in 2024 years). But that Mets teams was patched Roster of older players and free agents. They seemed to be braver that the foundation is more difficult for several titles for division.
Let’s dig into what happened and what’s next.
Injuries in a throwing – and leaving free funds
Led with CIM youth winner Chris SaleBraves had excellent rotation: third in Major in era, third in innings at the throw. They hoped to add strikes in that mixture in that season and get a full campaign from Spencer Schwellenbachwho had an extraordinary novice year in 2024. year over 21 begins. They also had Grant Holmesthat appeared as a starter and reliever 2024 years and looked good in shortened skins in rotation. Add to 2024 All-Star Reinaldo LopezAgree from 1.99 era and appeared placed – in spite of loss Max. and Charlie Morton in a free agency.
Ahh, but the departures of fried and morton meant that they still had to replace 59 starts and almost 340 innings in rotation and it was not easy. The factor in the fact that Lopez made two separate travels to the injured list in 2024. Year, that the sales took its healthy season since 2017, that Stridernbach and Holmes had never set the full season in Majors, and in Majospect it was easy to see a serious season. Braver believed they had enough depth with 2023 all-star Brice Elder and Aj smith-shawver.
All five projected starters have been injured at some point. Lopez lasted one beginning before undergoing the shoulder operation. Strider was not the same explosive thrower of 2022. And 2023. years. Smith-Shawver was subjected to Tommy John surgery after nine starts and older, forced to stay in rotation, has 6,12 era. How did the injuries accumulate after interrupting all the stars, the brave had to cross the guys like they were Carlos Carrasco, Cal Quantrill and Erick Fedde to fill rotation. They are brave 23. Major in rotation.
But even when sales, Schwellenbach, Holmes and Strider were in rotation at the end of June, brave were only 38-45 (although 13. at the time. Other teams dealt with rotation and survivor injuries, because they meet, because they met a long IL, while Dodgers also played through rotation injuries.
What about 2026? Brave will return all these starters for 2026. Year, and hoping everyone will be healthy for the opening day, except Smith-Shawver. Add Hurston WaldrepThe first park from 2023. year, which was excellent because he joined rotation in August, and the courage will enter the next season with potentially star rotation. Given the insecurity with Schwellenbach (Lom Loma Railway) and Holmes, not subject to Tommy John Surgery), it will probably make sense to sign a veteran starter in a free agency.
Signed on three-year, 42 million dollars in the external usalist to join the hole in the outbathian field, ProFAR received a suspension of 80 games only four matches in the season. With Acun, he does not return until the end of May, suddenly Hraves had a players’ depth testing. Like 2024, it proved to be a big problem. Brian from Cruz He didn’t hit as he filled out for the prophark and waived 1. May. Jarred Kelenić He was even worse and sent after hitting .167 in 24 games. In despair, they signed Alex Verdugo; He published an abysmal .585 Ops in 56 games before he was released.
She didn’t help Harris was one of the worst strikes in Major in the first half. Acuna returned 23. Maja and was extraordinary, but even with their production, brave foreign lovers is only 17. In Major in the OPS.
The lack of depth braver proved in other areas. Orlando ArciaDropping the terrible 2024. year, he was a proclivation for opening, but once again fought on the plate, he lost his homework Nick Allenand was released at the end of May. Allen was a plus counsel, but among players with at least 300 players, he was the worst shot in Major.
What about 2026? Starting Outfield will be set with Acuna, Harris and PROFAR, but the courage will need quality fourth kisses, because Kelenić does not look like an answer anymore (he was terrible in triple). Alin’s defense is constant, but the courage will undoubtedly look for an offensive upgrade in the off-season. The free agent options are thin in shortness except Bi Bichette (Whoever has terrible defense metrics, plus courage rarely go according to the best free agents), so any upgrade could come over store. Brave could live with Alen’s defense, except …
Offensive rejecting the board
We mentioned Harris. Although somewhat saved his season with a warm stripe since the end of July, he was one of several courageous who did not answer what they did in that historical 2023. Note:
Harris
2023: .293 / .331 / .477, 18 HR
2025: .249 / .271 / .412, 17 HR
Olson
2023: .283 / .389 / .604, 54 HR
2025: .271 / .367 / .460, 21 hours
Albies
2023: .280 / .33 / .513, 33 HR
2025: .236 / .303 / .352, 13 HR
Riley
2023: .281 / .345 / .516, 37 hr
2025: .260 / .309 / .428, 16 HR
2023: .274 / .346 / .558, 40 hr
2025: .227 / .358 / .404, 20 HR
Braves 2023 reached 947 runs – most in Major since 2007. years New York Yankees and the most non-Colorado Rockies National League team from Dodger from 1953. Brookline. Brave from 2025. years are at the pace for 714 passes, and are currently ranked for 15. Running in duration.
What about 2026? The courage will have to do serious introspection here. After reaching 704, it lasts 2024. years, it seems clear that it is a level of violation: mediocre. They can count on full seasons from Acun and PROFAR, which should help. OBP Questions for Harris and Albies, two players who are part of the key components should be the main problem. Olson is a good shot, but 2023 was a career season. Riley fought injuries for two seasons in a row. Ozuna is a free asset and will have to be replaced; Adding the third catcher and commissioning Drake Baldvin Suppose most DH sticks are one possibility. Unless they seem to be albies trades (just $ 7 million each of the next two seasons) or find short, this group will look the same.
Problems in bulk
With all the injuries of rotation, it did not help Bullpen be awarded, at least early. Nearer Raisel Iglesias If four bursts saved and five losses in early June, a key factor in the courage that was digging and wounded holes. Although settled, the pen was not as strong as the past two seasons, especially last year:
2023
ERA: 3.81 (12.)
Winning probability was added: +3.05 (14th)
2024
ERA: 3.32 (third)
The probability obtained was added: +5.85 (third)
2025
ERA: 4.19 (20th)
Received the probability added: +2.52 (16th)
What about 2026? Iglesias is a free agent, so the graves will look for a new closer. Joe Jimenez is the possibility after all 2025 goes away. year after the knee surgery and Pierce Johnson It will probably return with the Team option for $ 7 million. Other free agents will include Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley and probably Robert Suarezlikely to seize the player’s option.
Verdict: Brave can be refused in 2026. Years
The main reason to be optimistic about 2026. It will continue to have its basic players in its main years: Olson will be only 28, and Harris will look like an exciting young Hitter and Waldrep could be a moving haldvin. Healthy sales and a better Striker would go a long way to fix rotation.
Despite all the problems and a rotation filler, the differential of the conduct of courage is not terrible in minus-19. And sometimes good organizations have bad seasons. The Cincinnati Reds He won 102 matches in 1970. and 95-plus since 1972. until 1976. years, but in 1971. He threw the season 79-83. St. Louis Cardinals Every year he had a winning record of 2000. until 2022. year, except for the recorder 78-84 in 2007. years. The Houston Astros Every season, Al West has since 2017, except under -500 in 2020. years (approved, it was a shortened seasonal season).
On the other hand, sometimes the first loss season shows good times ended: See in the mid-1960s Yankees, the late 1980s met or 2013 Philadelphia Phillies. Usually, however, these are or old teams or a managed or some combination of both. Brave are neither one nor. They will need better happiness with their hasting hasting, but the foundation is here to return to Chase Doioff Chase next season.
