The long-term gamble by the Atlanta Braves on young talent is backfiring. An 0-5 start has exposed the risk of locking in players too early, leaving the team vulnerable to injuries, suspensions and sudden declines in performance.
No one is more central to this strategy than general manager Alex Anthopoulos. His aggressive approach to securing young talent on long-term deals was once hailed as visionary, ensuring cost control and stability. But now, as key players falter and roster flexibility shrinks, the cracks in that philosophy are showing.
As recently as 2024, Atlanta’s contract strategy was considered a model of efficiency. Senior MLB writer Hannah Keyser noted in October 2023, “The answer to why the Braves seem so formidable is that they have lots of really talented players locked up for years to come.”
But the problem with early extensions is that talent doesn’t always progress in a straight line.
Take outfielder Michael Harris II. His production has dipped after he burst onto the scene and earned an eight-year, $72M deal. His bWAR fell from 5.1 in 2022 to 3.2 in 2024, highlighting the gamble of projecting long-term value based on a small sample.
His comments after Monday’s 6-0 loss to the Dodgers reflect the team’s predicament: “Basically, we just got to move forward. We’ve got to worry about the guys that we have and try to win games,” he told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
But the issues don’t stop there. On Monday, right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez landed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation, further weakening an already- thin rotation.
Meanwhile, outfielder Jurickson Profar’s 80-game suspension for PED use only adds to the instability. Injuries have compounded the Braves’ struggles, with key players missing time and exposing the lack of reliable depth behind them.
Manager Brian Snitker, whose team plays the Dodgers again Tuesday in Los Angeles, remains optimistic publicly. “You have to put it behind you and look for positives,” he said, per Bowman. “Tomorrow is a new day and could be the start of a really good streak.”
