ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 02: Atlanta Braves president, Alex Anthopoulos attends a press conference speaking about Austin Rileys contract extension and recent trades prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on August 2, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves now have an offseason of difficult decisions ahead after their latest postseason run ended earlier than they hoped.
After falling short against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization will have to determine which pieces of this year’s team are worth bringing back for another attempt. And the pitching staff will be an area of focus after a dramatic playoff run.
“The Braves now enter an offseason loaded with questions about how they should proceed in the next phase of their contention window,” Gabriel Burnes wrote for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “A valiant effort by the pitching staff wasn’t enough, as the Braves were eliminated by the Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday, 4-1. This will sting beyond the normal season-ending despair.”
That leaves the Braves with plenty to consider, including whether they can retain one of their most important midseason additions.
Atlanta Braves’ Pending Free Agent Advocates For Return With Contract Message
Tyler Mahle, who joined the Braves at the trade deadline, made his preference for a new contract clear to the front office when he was asked whether he would like to return as a free agent.
“For sure,” Mahle said, according to The Athletic’s Jesus Cano. “It’d be crazy for anyone not to want to be here. This place is awesome, and there’s no other way to put it. It’d be crazy not to want to play here.”
Mahle’s enthusiasm will be a key as the Braves weigh whether to offer him a new contract. The right-hander is headed for free agency after becoming an increasingly important part of the pitching staff down the stretch and then taking on an even larger role during the postseason, though his career statistics are not quite as impressive.
“Pending free agent Tyler Mahle put together a strong two-month stretch with the Braves to close the regular season,” Charlie Wright noted for MLB Trade Rumors. “He was even better in the playoffs, covering critical innings for a pitching staff lacking viable starters outside of Chris Sale.”
Though Mahle logged a 5.13 ERA with the San Francisco Giants this season before the trade, his late-campaign production with the Braves could make him one of the more interesting decisions facing Braves’ executives this winter.
Atlanta Braves Face Tyler Mahle Decision After Playoff Exit
For Mahle, at least, there does not appear to be much mystery about where he would prefer to spend next season. His comments came immediately after Atlanta’s postseason exit, making them an unusually direct indication of his interest in staying with the organization.
The Braves now have to decide whether they feel the same way.
After acquiring Mahle specifically to help strengthen their postseason pitching depth, Atlanta has seen firsthand what he can provide. His willingness to return could make a reunion one of the more straightforward possibilities for an organization facing a much more complicated offseason.
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