Christmas has arrived, which means it’s time for my annual Atlanta Braves Christmas wish list. The Braves have had a terrible couple of years. Despite back-to-back 100-win seasons, the Braves have struggled in October, losing to the Phillies in the NLDS twice in a row, which feels like a nightmare. But I’m not going to let the past cloud my judgment about how well the Braves are set up for success now and in the future. This team doesn’t require huge adjustments, but Christmas wish lists are about reaching for the stars, so I’ll do it again this year.
An Offense That Shows Up In October
The Braves offensive has been the team’s highlight for the last two seasons, peaking this year when they were one of the most explosive offenses in baseball history. However, when the lights were the brightest, they resembled the Oakland Athletics. The Phillies pitching staff deserves credit for it, but some of it can also be attributed to baseball’s randomness. This squad, on the other hand, is just too good to be scoring less than three runs per game in must-win situations. It’s time for them to step up when it counts, or their regular-season success will be forgotten.
A Ronald Acuña Jr. Extension
There’s no rush to finish this during the offseason. Ronald Acua Jr. isn’t a free agent until after the 2028 season, and I understand why some teams might be hesitant to pay him after his recent performance. Following a record 2023 season, Acua’s value is at an all-time high, and there must be some anxiety about his injury history. It’s Christmas, after all, and it’s not my wallet. I don’t want to think of Acua playing for another team during his career, and if they get this done sooner, they might be able to save some money. Let’s hope the Braves leave a blank check under Acua’s Christmas tree.
A Ronald Acuña Jr. 50/50 Season
Sure, 40/70 was impressive, but several trolls attempted to detract from it due of the new restrictions. Let’s make some fresh history in 2024 to put all of it to rest. Nobody has ever come close to 50/50, and Ronald Acua Jr. has a good chance of doing so in the future. He’ll have little trouble getting back to 50 steals, but 50 home runs would be nine more than his current career high. There’s no doubt he has the power to make it happen, and when it comes to Acua, the bar needs to be lifted even higher.
Another Frontline Starter
I’m not as concerned about the Braves’ rotation as some others are. Max Fried, Spencer Strider, and Charlie Morton are among the best. Bryce Elder was outstanding for half of last year and could expand on it. Ian Anderson and Huascar Ynoa should not be overlooked, as have AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep. I’m confident in this bunch as it stands, especially if the offense starts to hit in the postseason.
Ten Straight Division Titles
In most sports, championships are the only thing that matters. That exists in baseball, but I would argue that thinking that way will only drive you crazy. The randomness in the postseason is unmatched, making it impossible to win the World Series year after year like we see in basketball or football. The regular season and winning the division is the true mark of the best teams, and the Braves have done it six straight years. Let’s make it ten, and by that time, I’ll be thinking about breaking the Braves own MLB record of 14 straight division titles. The NL East runs through Atlanta, and everybody should take pride in that. Fans of other teams within the division may try to take away from the pure dominance the Braves have exemplified over the last three decades, but that’s the jealousy talking. They can’t even dream of the amount of success Atlanta has experienced, and I want to shove their faces in that for at least another four seasons.
Andruw Jones In The Hall Of Fame
What exactly are we doing here? The MLB Hall of Fame’s gatekeepers need to get a life. Andruw Jones is the best defensive centerfielder in baseball history. When someone is the finest at something, that individual deserves to be immortalized in Cooperstown. Oh, and he hit 434 home runs, the majority of which came before the age of 31. Jones was as good an all-around player as anyone in the game for a decade. It’s a travesty that he’s had to wait this long. That, hopefully, will change in 2024.