The Braves Go Out With a Whimper. Again.

For the fourth time in as many Postseason appearances since the improbable 2021 World Series title, the Atlanta Braves have exited in the NLDS or earlier. They scored eight runs across four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with seemingly only Michael Harris taking batting practice during the series by the looks of the offense.

It feels like the definitive end of a window.

I no longer think the World Series was some sort of fluke or anomaly. Alex Anthopoulos was forced to bring in a new group mid-season thanks to a plethora of injuries — most notably Ronald Acuña Jr. — and that new blood infused life into a team that desperately needed it. The Braves won a title with their most notable performers being Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario and Joc Pederson. Acuña, Matt Olson and Austin Riley haven't made it to an NLCS since.

Acuña's last Postseason RBI came during the first Trump administration — and during a fake season, for whatever that's worth. Olson has been nearly as absent in October since he came to Atlanta, hitting .176 with one home run since 2023. Riley went 1-19 with seven strikeouts after his heroic homer in Game 1 against the Phillies, much more in line with his .654 OPS in the regular season.

I just don't see how anyone would want to run it back in 2027 with this same group. Maybe it's a team that just doesn't mesh when the lights are brightest for whatever reason or maybe some guys have regressed, but whatever the cause, we have plenty of data that tells us these just aren't the guys that are gonna go on a run in October.

Riley's contract is a behemoth and Olson isn't a guy any sane GM would try to offload, even with his Postseason struggles. But there is one guy who is probably leaving for nothing in two years anyway, has a lengthy injury history and was getting booed in his home ballpark Wednesday night:

And despite all that, Acuña would still probably garner a haul, given his pedigree and two very team-friendly options.

Nobody wants to trade a superstar that seemed like he would be a franchise cornerstone for two decades. But nobody really wants to be where the Braves are right now, either. I don't know what the answer is.

The good news for those who love the current Braves core is Liberty Media doesn't really care if the team wins championships as long as Truist Park and The Battery are full and they get a few extra home games a year to fill those bars and restaurants. So in some way, this Postseason was mission accomplished in the eyes of the bosses.

Atlanta was 45-21 on June 7. It went 52-51 the rest of the way, culminating with an all too familiar offensive implosion in October. Maybe something changes. I wouldn't hold my breath.