This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman¡¯s Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ATLANTA -- Had the Braves erased at least one of their big needs before signing outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract on Sunday, the signing might not have been received as unfavorably as recent Kirk Cousins highlights.

What¡¯s the best thing that could be said about De La Cruz? He has options. In other words, if he doesn¡¯t win a roster spot in Spring Training, you can drive up I-85 and watch him play for Triple-A Gwinnett. This doesn't change much for a fan base that has been anxiously awaiting a move.

We can debate whether adding a starting pitcher, outfielder or relief pitcher is the Braves¡¯ greatest need. But even after the signing of De La Cruz, who produced a negative WAR each of the past two years, we should all agree that adding an outfielder is the team's most significant priority.

This has been a quiet offseason highlighted by cost-cutting moves. Clubhouse leader Travis d¡¯Arnaud was bid adieu when the Braves didn¡¯t exercise his $8 million option. You don¡¯t want to pay this much for a 35-year-old backup catcher, especially when Sean Murphy is set to make $15 million this year? OK, that checks.

The Braves also reworked the contracts of Reynaldo L¨®pez and Aaron Bummer in a way that provides both of them a lower-than-anticipated salary for 2025 and a higher-than-anticipated salary for future seasons. Ram¨®n Laureano was also non-tendered when the team had to decide whether he¡¯d be worth whatever he'd have received in arbitration.

Every one of these 2025 cost-cutting moves made sense. But it¡¯s "show me the money" time.

President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said he wouldn¡¯t be deterred by the possibility of the penalties (higher taxes) that would come with exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax threshold for a third straight year. The Braves remain approximately $24 million below that threshold. That would sound like a lot only if you haven¡¯t seen current salaries, especially when it comes to free-agent pitchers.

Anthopoulos has plenty of time to prove he is willing to spend this offseason. That being said, it¡¯s never wise to spend just to spend. But for now, his message of not being financially restricted contradicts the recent paper trail.

This could change over the next few weeks and months. Instead of focusing on words, it¡¯s always wise to follow the money. The current trail could understandably create some pessimism about the team¡¯s willingness to spend. Or maybe, it actually shows the Braves are saving up to make at least one big move.

Had some big moves been made previously, the signing of De La Cruz would have been recognized for what it is: the addition of organizational depth. But for now, it stands as an uninspiring interruption for what currently stands as an anxious Braves fan base.