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How will Braves address free agency, other pressing offseason questions?

The Atlanta Braves face a complex offseason puzzle as they navigate injuries, developmental questions, and free agency amid a rotation in flux. Alex Anthopoulos, the team’s president of baseball operations, addressed lingering uncertainties about key starters Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider, both of whom have faced setbacks—Schwellenbach with a surgical procedure on his pitching elbow and Strider’s recent bullpen sessions at Spring Training.

Anthopoulos emphasized the team’s cautious approach, noting they cannot assume either will pitch a full season, forcing a reevaluation of how to secure innings from their rotation. Meanwhile, the potential of young pitcher Didier Fuentes remains untested, with questions about his ability to handle a full workload as a starter, though his development of secondary pitches offers promise for the future.

The team’s free-agent strategy will also hinge on leveraging their exclusive negotiating window, which extends through the World Series, to retain key contributors while addressing internal concerns like Jurickson Profar’s recent performance-enhancing drug suspensions, which have disrupted the Braves’ plans for his role moving forward.

Offensively, the Braves are grappling with Austin Riley’s third consecutive underwhelming season, despite his improved health after back-to-back injury-plagued campaigns. Anthopoulos framed Riley’s struggles as a priority for internal discussions, highlighting his defensive and leadership strengths while acknowledging his untapped offensive potential.

The team’s shortstop situation could also shift, with Mauricio Dubón’s free-agent status and his 2026 performance under review, though no definitive decision has been made about his long-term role at the position.

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