4 players Braves missed on at the deadline, but can sign this offseason

1. Braves can make a major splash and sign Josh Hader in the offseason

Spitting in the face of what most logical people believed they should do at the trade deadline, the San Diego Padres elected to buy. As a result of that, two star pitchers on expiring contracts stayed put rather than the Friars trying to recoup some value for them instead of risking losing them for nothing in the offseason: Blake Snell and Josh Hader.

Given the financial commitments that the Padres have already made and could continue to make with guys like Juan Soto and others, there’s an extremely real possibility that both Snell and Hader walk.

While adding Snell for a three-man top of the rotation in Atlanta of Max Fried-Spencer Strider-Blake Snell, the fact of the matter is that starters are going to cost exponentially more on the free agency market than relievers. More importantly, adding an ace to the bullpen could be the next step for Atlanta, making Hader potentially the biggest-name target that the Braves could pursue this offseason.

It’s not hyperbole to refer to Hader as the best closer and potentially the best reliever in baseball. Outside of his arrival in San Diego that went awry after he was traded last season, he’s been nails for basically his entire career, including dominating opposing hitters this season with a 0.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 26 saves in 43 appearances in the 2023 season.

The Braves need another lefty in the bullpen regardless, but especially so with Kirby Yates set to hit free agency and unlikely to return given that he’ll be 37 years old next season. Moreover, adding Hader would give Atlanta a great back-end punch of A.J. Minter, Raisel Iglesias and Hader that would only further solidify them as a perennial World Series contender.