The Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back in 2026 after a difficult 2025 campaign. Atlanta has had a respectable offseason, and the idea of the Braves returning to the postseason is certainly realistic. However, there are some questions for the ball club at the moment.
Without further ado, here are three questions facing the Braves heading into the 2026 season.
Advertisement
The answer to this question was Ha-Seong Kim just a few days ago. However, Kim suffered a hand injury and is expected to be out for four-to-five months. While he could return a couple of months into the new campaign, Atlanta will need to find a new shortstop for Opening Day.
Mauricio Dubon is a candidate to start, while the Braves recently signed versatile infielder Jorge Mateo to a deal. However, it would not be surprising to see Atlanta look to add a more reliable shortstop option before the regular season.
Strider was one of the better pitchers in baseball from 2022-2023. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2023. His 281 strikeouts led the league during the ’23 campaign.
Advertisement
An injury limited him to only two starts in 2024, however, and Strider did not look like the same pitcher after returning in 2025. He turned in a 4.45 ERA across 23 outings during the ’25 campaign. His underperformance was somewhat understandable following his long absence, but Strider will need to prove he’s still an ace-caliber starter in 2026.
Strider still has a couple of years of team control on his contract, but the Braves will be looking for their next leader of the rotation once 36-year-old Chris Sale either retires or possibly leaves in free agency — as he will become a free agent after the ’26 campaign.
Acuna is one of the best players in baseball when healthy. Albies endured a down 2025 season, but he’s still a talented second baseman.
Advertisement
Albies’ contract features a club option for 2027. Acuna has a club option in 2027 and 2028. The Braves will need to decide whether or not Acuna and Albies are part of their long-term future soon. Contract extension or trades would be the preferred options for the Braves as opposed to possibly losing the players in free agency within the next few years.
One has to imagine that Acuna will be the priority. Of course, a contract extension requires both the team and player to be interested. Given what players who are not as talented as Acuna have received in free agency in recent seasons, the Braves superstar may decide to test the market. Nothing is guaranteed at the moment, though.