Braves absolutely cannot afford to recycle their playbook from before the last lockout

The Atlanta Braves cannot use the same strategy this offseason that they used before the last lockout.

By Eric Cole · House That Hank Built

Published: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 12:22 PM

Key Things to Know

Writer Eric Cole argues the Atlanta Braves cannot afford a passive approach ahead of the impending MLB lockout.
Major League Baseball is set to enter a lockout on December 2 when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
The writer notes Atlanta was largely inactive before the last lockout due to unresolved contract talks with Freddie Freeman.

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Writer Eric Cole argues that the Atlanta Braves must actively pursue roster improvements ahead of an impending December 2 lockout rather than repeating their passive approach from the previous work stoppage. He notes that the upcoming offseason could significantly impact Atlanta's competitive window if the front office fails to resolve depth concerns across the roster before league-wide business halts.

Unlike their previous lockout approach, which was tied up by negotiations with Freddie Freeman, the writer asserts that Atlanta faces a much shallower free agent pool and cannot expect to easily acquire top talent like Matt Olson after negotiations conclude.

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Braves absolutely cannot afford to recycle their playbook from before the last lockout

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