The Atlanta Braves' 2023 season ended with a whimper. Despite having the best record in the majors and tying the single-season home run record with 304, the team won a single game in the National League Division Series, as the Philadelphia Phillies beat them in four games. This is the second consecutive year in which the Phillies eliminated the Braves from the playoffs.
With the season done, the Braves have to figure out what to do to make it back to the World Series. Earlier this week, FanSided staff writer Christopher Kline listed Marcell Ozuna, Kevin Pillar, and Charlie Morton as three players who won't return for the Braves in 2024.
Let's look at three more players who are unlikely to return to Atlanta next season.
Ehire Adrianza confirmed already to not return to the Braves in 2024
This one is cheating a bit, but Ehire Adrianza has already confirmed not returning to Atlanta next year.
The Braves opted to bring Adrianza back this season for his second stint with the team. His first stint was in 2021 when the team won their first World Series title since 1995. This time around, Adrianza didn't play that much, but that's due to injury. Adrianza had become the primary backup infielder but was sidelined since May 1 due to elbow inflammation and a shoulder strain.
On Sept. 25, the Braves designated Adrianza for assignment, but he went unclaimed on waivers. With that, the team outrighted him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Instead of accepting his assignment, Adrianza instead elected to enter free agency.
With that, Adrianza's stint ends with just five games played, where he recorded zero hits, one walk, and four strikeouts in 10 at-bats.
So, it's confirmed Adrianza won't be a member of the Braves for next season.
Jesse Chavez could be out of the Braves bullpen
One area of the Atlanta Braves that could look very different next season is their bullpen. Entering this offseason, the team has six players who are either free agents or have an option attached to them for the 2024 season. So, there are only so many spots to secure and so much money to devote to the bullpen.
That leaves a player like Jesse Chavez on the outside looking in.
Chavez is in his fourth stint with the team in his lengthy MLB career, as he was claimed off waivers in 2022 and signed to a minor league deal ahead of this season. Chavez pitched great throughout the start of the regular season but suffered a hairline fracture of his shin on June 14. Chavez was sidelined until mid-September, pitching in five games.
In the regular season, Chavez recorded an impressive 1.56 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 34.2 innings (36 games).
Chavez was left off Atlanta's NLDS roster due in part to his return from injury so close to the end of the regular season.
Braves fans will certainly hope that he returns, but after a good year, other teams may be interested and could give him a pretty rich deal.
The 2024 option for Brad Hand is too pricey
Speaking of the Atlanta Braves bullpen, they have to figure out how to allocate the money, which players are worth keeping, and who should go. Collin McHugh has a $6 million club option, while Kirby Yates has a club option of $5.6 million.
Then there's Brad Hand, who carries a mutual option of $7 million. That's a hefty price for a reliever who struggled throughout the 2023 season.
Hand was acquired by the Braves at the trade deadline, looking to add further depth. Considering he was going from the Colorado Rockies to Atlanta, he would turn things around with a much better roster to support him.
In 20 appearances for the Braves, Hand recorded a 7.50 ERA, a 1.389 WHIP, a 2-2 win-loss record, 18 strikeouts, and six walks in 18.0 innings pitched.
Hand did make the NLDS roster, and his struggles continued. In Game 3, Hand entered the bottom of the fifth inning and surrendered a solo home run to Phillies star Bryce Harper. In his lone appearance, Hand had a 9.00 ERA, two strikeouts, and one walk to his credit in one full-inning pitched.
Given that Hand's option is worth a staggering $7 million, it's hard to envision the Braves picking it up. According to Spotrac, the Braves could pay the $500,000 buyout. That might be the best course for the Braves, and retain some of their relievers in-house.
