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Offseason questions for eliminated teams: What's next for Braves after NLDS defeat
Confirmed
In Short: However, the Braves face key questions as their offseason begins, particularly regarding their shortstop position.
The Atlanta Braves were eliminated from the 2026 MLB playoffs after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Wednesday.
Coming off a 94-win regular season and a National League East title under first-year manager Walt Weiss, the Braves' playoff run ended with a 5-12 record in the postseason since winning the World Series in 2021.
Under Weiss, the Braves added 18 regular-season wins to their 2025 tally, buoyed by better health, but their postseason performance has been inconsistent.
With the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations complicating the 2027 season, the Braves are expected to remain in contending mode, with several core contributors still under contract.
First baseman Matt Olson remains a top producer, while youngsters Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris II, both 25, are emerging as foundational pieces for the future.
Alex Anthopoulos, the lead decision-maker, has been aggressive in signing in-house or newly acquired talents to long-term contract extensions.
ESPN's MLB experts identified Tyler Mahle, Raisel Iglesias, Martin Perez, Mauricio Dubon, and Dominic Smith as key free agents.
Rookie Jim Jarvis started 35 games but struggled, hitting just.207 with one home run.
Ha-Seong Kim, another free agent, was a $20 million disappointment, hitting.116 in 147 at-bats.
Shortstop Ozzie Albies, entering his age-30 season, is a concern due to a declining on-base percentage.
David Price, signed through 2032, is also a long-term worry for the team.
Despite these challenges, the Braves' ownership group remains committed to spending towards the goal of winning baseball games.
What this adds
The Braves' playoff struggles since their 2021 World Series win highlight the need for adjustments in their strategy.
Background
The Atlanta Braves secured their place in the National League Division Series (NLDS) with a decisive 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series on Thursday night.
What's confirmed
- The Atlanta Braves were eliminated from the 2026 MLB playoffs after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Wednesday.
- Coming off a 94-win regular season and a National League East title under first-year manager Walt Weiss, the Braves' playoff run ended with a 5-12 record in the postseason since winning the World Series in 2021.
- Under Weiss, the Braves added 18 regular-season wins to their 2025 tally, buoyed by better health, but their postseason performance has been inconsistent.
- With the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations complicating the 2027 season, the Braves are expected to remain in contending mode, with several core contributors still under contract.
- First baseman Matt Olson remains a top producer, while youngsters Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris II, both 25, are emerging as foundational pieces for the future.
- Alex Anthopoulos, the lead decision-maker, has been aggressive in signing in-house or newly acquired talents to long-term contract extensions.
- ESPN's MLB experts identified Tyler Mahle, Raisel Iglesias, Martin Perez, Mauricio Dubon, and Dominic Smith as key free agents.
- Rookie Jim Jarvis started 35 games but struggled, hitting just.207 with one home run.
- Ha-Seong Kim, another free agent, was a $20 million disappointment, hitting.116 in 147 at-bats.
- Shortstop Ozzie Albies, entering his age-30 season, is a concern due to a declining on-base percentage.
- David Price, signed through 2032, is also a long-term worry for the team.
- Despite these challenges, the Braves' ownership group remains committed to spending towards the goal of winning baseball games.
What's still developing
- Obviously, the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 season and how it will look amid the ongoing CBA negotiations complicates matters, but the solid expectation is that the Braves will again go for it next season.
- With all that in mind, let's take a look at three key questions facing the NL East champs as their offseason gets underway.
- In three seasons with Atlanta, Sale has pitched to an ERA of 2.36 in 76 starts and one relief appearance and added 15.6 WAR to his career tally.
- For every eliminated contender this October, ESPN MLB experts Jorge Castillo, Bradford Doolittle, Alden Gonzalez, Jesse Rogers and David Schoenfield list its key free agents and biggest offseason questions and also make their predictions for the long, cold winter ahead.
- So what's next for Atlanta -- and all of the other towns that won't be celebrating a World Series parade this fall?