Offseason checklist: Braves’ needs & moves

ATLANTA -- After coming within one win of reaching the World Series, the Braves will spend the offseason evaluating ways to strengthen what has the potential to once again be a championship-caliber roster.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “Will we have fans? What will our revenues be? All of those things, right? But that’s one for the world and likely all of sports. But the focus and the goal will still be the same. We want to put the best team back on the field that we can and be back in position to win a World Series.”

Now that the offseason has arrived, here is a look at the Braves’ biggest needs. Check back here regularly over the next few weeks and months as MLB.com will update what has been done and what still needs to be addressed.

BIGGEST NEEDS

Backup catcher
With Travis d’Arnaud set to attempt to repeat his impressive first season as Atlanta’s primary catcher, the question is who should be his backup? William Contreras seemed to make significant strides offensively this past year. But exactly how far he has come will not be known until he is given a chance to experience the Minor League season he was denied in 2020.

While Contreras and Shea Langeliers continue to develop, the Braves might benefit from bringing Tyler Flowers back to spend another year in the backup role. Flowers has a strong bond with d’Arnaud and the capability to mentor Contreras and Langeliers in the receiving department.

Whether it is Flowers or another option, there is a need to find somebody capable of filling the gap between the start of the season and when Contreras might be ready.

MOVES MADE

Feb. 5: Re-signed OF Marcell Ozuna
The Braves erased their need for a power hitter by re-signing Ozuna to a four-year, $65 million contract.

Feb. 2: Adding pitching depth
The Braves could use some relievers, particularly with Mark Melancon and Shane Greene currently free agents. Atlanta will hope there is something left in Carl Edwards Jr.'s arm.

Jan. 23: Panda returns
Pablo Sandoval signed a Minor League deal and will receive a $1 million salary if he is placed on Atlanta’s Major League roster.

Dec. 2: Signed INF Johan Camargo, RHP Luke Jackson and LHP Grant Dayton; non-tendered OF Adam Duvall
The Braves avoided arbitration with the trio by finalizing one-year deals for 2021, but they declined to tender a contract to Duvall, who hit 16 homers in the shortened '20 season.

Nov. 24: Signed RHP Charlie Morton -- Atlanta found its frontline starter in Morton, whom the club signed to a one-year, $15 million deal.

Nov. 20: Claimed INF Jack Mayfield off waivers -- Mayfield, 30, has played shortstop, second base and third base in two seasons with the Astros.

Nov. 19: Selected LHP Kyle Muller to Major League roster -- The Braves protected Muller, their No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, from the 2020 Rule 5 Draft.

Nov. 16: Signed LHP Drew Smyly -- Atlanta added depth to its starting rotation, inking a one-year, $11 million deal with Smyly. The left-hander recorded a 3.42 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) for the Giants in 2020.

Nov. 11: Signed RHP Josh Tomlin -- Tomlin, who pitched to a 4.08 ERA over 2019-20 with the Braves, returned on a one-year, $1 million contract for 2021 that included a $1.25 million club option for ‘22

Oct. 30: Signed OF Abraham Almonte -- The Braves agreed to a non-guaranteed, one-year deal with Almonte.

Oct. 29: Declined option on RHP Darren O'Day -- The reliever became a free agent after his $3.25 million club option was declined.