Three Braves free agents are slated to leave, with two returning in 2024.

The Atlanta Braves still have plenty of tough decisions to make this offseason, and Alex Anthopoulos knows it.

The Atlanta Braves officially re-signed reliever Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract on Wednesday afternoon. Alex Anthopoulos and the front office are expected to prioritize pitching this winter, especially outside of the bullpen, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them start with a flamethrower.

But Johnson isn’t where the Braves’ season ends.
In reality, far from it. Anthopoulos was quick to downplay the need for big changes, but it’s not in his nature to be patient.
Especially when the Braves fell short of expectations for the second year in a row with the same team.
Something has to give, and Atlanta’s roster will look different in 2024.

Leaving Free Agency: Kevin Pillar can do better

Kevin Pillar served as Eddie Rosario’s platoon partner for most of the 2023 season. Rosario has a club option for this winter and a decision has yet to be made.
However, Pillar appears to have mentioned saying goodbye to Braves fans via Twitter last week.
“It’s been an honor to carry the Atlanta Braves on my heart.
I’ll miss playing for you all at Truist! See you soon!”, Pillar tweeted.
As Eric Cole of The House That Hank Built points out, this isn’t necessarily a guarantee that Pillar will leave.
However, he is an unrestricted free agent and could be a starter for some teams in need of a cornerback.
Given the state of the Braves roster, this move is not surprising. Eddie Rosario has a $9 million club option for next season, and the Braves appear to be planning to pick up that option.
Even if the Braves decided to bring in a starting left fielder as an upgrade to Rosario, it doesn’t make sense to bring back Pilar.
“Especially if Kevin is looking for more playing time,” Cole wrote.

Braves free agent: Eddie Rosario

As mentioned in the last slide, Eddie Rosario is highly regarded in the Braves organization.
He knows his role and strengths as a cornerback and is a solid hitter against right-handed hitters. Expect Atlanta to find another platoon partner for him this winter.
Rosario is only worth $9 million in 2024 and has a club option.
Anthopoulos would be wise to pick it up.
Because a player with Rosario’s personality and strength (and defensive ability) doesn’t come cheap.
Rosario was named a Gold Glove finalist by his peers this season, further enhancing his value.
Rosario can never be considered a gold glove.
Because his left field game is often full of adventure.
But there are much worse players who could be in Atlanta’s position.

Left field is one of Atlanta’s weak points. However, Rosario hit over 20 home runs and had over 100 WRCs. Not bad for the suggested “weaknesses”.
With Rosario in the final year of his contract, it would be surprising to see him play elsewhere next season.

Braves free agent ready to go: Charlie Culberson

Unsurprisingly, Charlie Culberson has been a fan favorite this season despite playing very little until the end of the summer.
Culberson was drafted several times and even selected as a free agent once.
In August, he agreed to commit to Gwinnett to serve as a temporary shortstop if the Braves needed him later in the year or in the postseason.
That moment never came, and Culberson is now a free agent.

FanSided’s John Buehler explained Braves Country’s attachment to Culberson in July when he had his season-high, his first hit of 2019.

“We always root for hometown heroes, but everyone takes a different path. Culberson will never be a star and will likely only play a few more games for the Braves this season.
He’s not Stockbridge’s Michael Harris II or Lilburn’s Matt Olson, but heck, he’s one of us! “Culberson is Braves country, even if he doesn’t play for his hometown team,” Buehler wrote.
Culberson’s last outing with the Braves wasn’t exactly a highlight, but he will be missed in the clubhouse.

Free agent return: Charlie Morton

I think he will stay in spring training until Charlie Morton is brave enough. Morton turns 40 this winter, and there are legitimate questions about his future in Atlanta or elsewhere. Morton has a $20 million club option for this season.
The Braves can’t take Morton at that price and make him a free agent.
He may also choose to retire.
Or maybe Alex Anthopoulos and Morton’s front office can agree to a modified one-year deal. The latter is most likely.

The Braves are in desperate need of rotation help. Morton was hampered by injuries and missed the NLDS.
Robert Murray of FanSided MLB thinks Atlanta could have top rotation talent this offseason, but Anthopoulos never shows his cards.

According to sources, the Braves tried to acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, but nothing happened. The free agent class has a number of talented options such as Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Aaron Nola.
However, Antopol has shown that he can be creative in trade negotiations and is also adept at extending players.
As part of the deal (see Matt Olson, Sean Murphy).

Maybe Anthopoulos will make a move.
may be. Either way, expect Morton to be back next year if he wants to be in the game.

Brave Free Agent Not Returning: Colin McHugh

Atlanta needs to make changes to its bullpen, and that could start with Collin McHugh, who has a team option this winter.
That option is available for the Braves, but if they really want to improve their pitching staff, they could do better.
Atlanta should also consider buyout options for Jesse Chavez, Brad Hand and Joe Jimenez if Anthopoulis is willing to do so.
AA has made it clear that it knows the Braves’ pitching depth is questionable this season.
They don’t want to be in this position next summer.

“I think all the points you made about postseason ailments and things coming up in the rotation for the second year in a row are very valid. I won’t argue.
See, this is true.
There is no doubt.
No doubt we had a great season, but we certainly struggled.
I feel the same (as usual) about how this will shape or affect our seasonality. Anthopoulos told The Athletic’s David O’Brien.

But much of the Braves’ season should focus on revamping the pitching staff rather than keeping fewer members. McHugh falls into the latter category.