What should the Braves focus on this offseason after a Dodgers NLDS exit?

One week after the Braves were eliminated by the Dodgers in the NL Division Series, the focus of Atlanta’s offseason planning is less about recapping October results and more about identifying which roster paths can realistically lead to a different outcome in 2027.

First on the list is Jurickson Profar, whose return the analysis says should not be a priority given the club’s recent history with him. The argument is that bringing him back would force Atlanta to consider both financial cost and clubhouse impact after the outfielder’s PED suspensions over the prior two years.

At catcher, the analysis points to how William Contreras’ postseason performance has revived internal frustration in Braves fandom that began with the Dec. 2022 three-team trade. It also contrasts Contreras’ two-way value in Milwaukee with Atlanta’s earlier experience, including the claim that Sal Fasano’s role as catching coach ended after Contreras’ success there.

The Braves’ likely internal fork, according to the same view, is whether to shape the next team around Drake Baldwin as the primary catcher. The analysis states Baldwin graded slightly better defensively than Contreras using Fielding Run Value this year, and adds that it sees Baldwin ahead offensively across the past two seasons in home runs, batting average, and OPS.

The offseason also has to account for Austin Riley’s trajectory and contract risk. The analysis argues that Riley’s 2026 season did not follow the expected script after he returned from season-ending injuries in 2024 and 2025, and it notes he is owed $22 million annually through 2032. Riley turns 30 on April 2, and the piece frames 2027 as the next chance to see whether he can return to the form of his 2023 third consecutive 30-homer season.

On the pitching side, the analysis emphasizes uncertainty as the common denominator. It groups together constraints tied to Spencer Strider’s elbow, Reynaldo López entering the third year of a three-year, $30 million extension, and Austin Schwellenbach’s previously fractured elbow now featuring a screw. With those variables in play, the argument calls for Atlanta to pursue at least two starting pitchers in the winter.

Finally, the Braves’ clubhouse and organizational leadership are included as a concrete decision point. The analysis singles out Walt Weiss, contrasting his 2026 impact with the fact the Braves lost four starting pitchers, a left fielder (Profar), and a catcher (Murphy) during spring training, while still rebounding through the regular season.