The Atlanta Braves are facing a significant challenge in their bullpen as right-hander Joe Jiménez is sidelined due to surgery and lefty A.J. Minter is reportedly heading to the New York Mets. Despite signing several pitchers to minor league contracts this offseason, the Braves have yet to make a significant addition to their bullpen. With the offseason clock ticking, they are exploring affordable relief pitcher options for potential Major League contracts.

Colin Poche, a left-handed pitcher formerly with the Tampa Bay Rays, is on the market after posting a 3.86 ERA in 43 appearances in 2024, although he had previously achieved a 2.23 ERA when healthy. Lucas Sims, once a Brave, had a mixed year with the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox, finishing with a 3.57 ERA but showing promise in September after recovering from injury.

Other candidates include Matt Moore, who had a successful stint before regressing in 2024, and Kyle Finnegan, a 2024 All-Star with the Nationals. The Braves are looking for low-risk, high-reward signings to bolster their bullpen as the new season approaches.

The MLB's non-tender deadline has passed, expanding the free-agent market as teams evaluate arbitration-eligible players. Non-tendered players immediately become free agents, allowing teams to explore new options.

Among the notable players released are Nick Madrigal from the Chicago Cubs, Patrick Sandoval from the Los Angeles Angels, and Austin Hays from the Philadelphia Phillies. These players represent potential bargains for teams looking to enhance their rosters.

The Philadelphia Phillies are considering trading for Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan to fill their closer vacancy, rather than pursuing free agents. A proposal suggests sending outfielder Nick Castellanos and shortstop prospect Starlyn Caba to the Nationals in exchange for Finnegan.

While Castellanos struggled early in the season, he improved significantly in the second half, raising questions about his trade value. Caba, although a promising prospect, does not align with the Phillies' win-now strategy. The potential trade raises concerns about whether giving up two valuable assets for one season of Finnegan is wise, especially when better options may be available in free agency.

The Washington Nationals face a pivotal offseason with significant financial flexibility, prompting expectations for general manager Mike Rizzo to enhance the roster. Key areas of focus include adding power hitters to the lineup, particularly at first base, third base, and catcher, while also addressing bullpen deficiencies.

Despite trading away some players, closer Kyle Finnegan remains a reliable option, and emerging lefty Jose A. Ferrer is being counted on for late-game situations. With a solid performance in 2024, Ferrer could be a crucial part of the Nationals' future plans.

The Washington Nationals finished the 2024 season with a disappointing 71-91 record, placing fourth in the NL East. Despite this, the team showcased promising young talent, particularly CJ Abrams, who led the team in bWAR, and James Wood, who made a strong impact after his promotion.

While the pitching staff struggled, with injuries affecting key players like Josiah Gray and Patrick Corbin's poor performance, the future looks brighter with several young prospects. The Nationals are expected to focus on rebuilding and could see significant improvements in the coming seasons.