The Atlanta Braves are not waiting for spring training to start fixing their roster. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has a clear list of problems to solve before the 2027 season begins. The hitting coach, Tim Hyers, is at the top of that list. His two-year contract has expired, and his results do not match the team’s goals. According to Battery Power, the offense struggled with “shabby opposing starter approaches” and an obsession with hitting to the opposite field.
Anthopoulos praised the offense for finishing top 10 in many categories, but reviews tell a different story. The team tried to adjust their swings to deal with the heavy baseballs used in recent years. The results were not good enough to support a resilient pitching staff. If the Braves want to return to their 2021 championship form, they cannot keep a hitting coach whose methods failed to produce consistent power. The data shows the approach did not work, and the roster moves prove they know it.
Roster Moves Show the Path Forward
The front office has already started making moves to create flexibility for the future. The major league 40-man roster includes infielder Brett Wisely, whereas outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett. Luke Williams also elected free agency after being outrighted. Per Harrison Smajovits of Atlanta Braves on SI, these transactions were found on the team’s official transaction page. These are not random cuts. They are calculated steps to protect assets and clear space for new talent.
This season, Gwinnett Stripers saw Wisely appear in 125 games, recording a .281/.399/.436 slash line alongside 11 home runs. His 127 wRC+ at the Triple-A level shows he can hit. The Braves added him to the 40-man roster to ensure they can use him in future transactions without losing him for nothing. This move signals that the team is looking for internal solutions rather than signing big-name free agents immediately. The focus is on players who have proven they can perform in the minors.
Left Field and Infield Questions Loom
The question of who plays left field remains open. The Braves might not make a big splash in that position this offseason. Battery Power notes that Jurickson Profar is still in the conversation, given what the team tolerated with Marcell Ozuna in previous years. Prospect Eric Hartman is also looming in Double-A. The team seems willing to wait and see if internal options can fill the gap before spending money on a veteran.
Shortstop might be a different story, as the infield has question marks over at least half the positions. The team also needs to address the injury situation, whether by replacing on-field talent or upgrading off-field medical personnel. Martin Maldonado, serving as special assistant, moves to the Detroit Tigers for a quality control coach role, creating an opening within the Braves’ system. The roster is thin, and the margin for error is small. Every decision from here on out must be precise.
The Braves cannot afford to let another season slip away due to a lack of direction. The numbers from the minor leagues and the transactions already made show a team in transition. Tim Hyers’ departure seems inevitable given the expired contract and the failed approach. The front office has the tools to fix the team, but they must be willing to make the hard calls. The 2027 season starts now, and the clock is ticking for the current staff to prove they belong.
