The Atlanta Braves played things very safe in the offseason in key parts of their roster and are currently paying the price. First refusing to spend big money to keep Max Fried and then also passing on the chance to retain Charlie Morton, along with only making one significant addition in the field, and it's partially to explain for the Braves 0-6 start.
The Braves only real addition in the field was Jurickson Profar, who they felt could sustain a career year in 2024, but there remained depth questions in the outfield as the team awaited the return of Ronald Acuna, and now that Profar has been suspended, the depth issues have become starting issues.
"You're sitting here the first week of April not looking at Alex Anthopoulos now saying 'go do something', people are looking back saying 'why didn't you do this, why didn't you do that'", says Grant McAuley. "That's hindsight, you don't and can't plan for every pitcher or player to have an injury replacement who approaches that level. You can't afford to lose Reynaldo Lopez. You need Sale and Schwellenbach to be who you hope they are and can be."