When the Atlanta Braves secured their spot in the 2023 postseason with a win over the Pirates, the celebration remained low-key. Manager Brian Snitker kept it brief, and the players shared a quiet toast with champagne. There were a couple of reasons behind this subdued response. First, they had a doubleheader scheduled the next day against the Philadelphia Phillies, necessitating an early arrival at the ballpark. Second, the specific achievement was a mathematical assurance of at least a wild-card berth, but the Braves had appeared destined for a division title throughout the season. With four games against their closest NL East rivals, the Phillies, on the horizon, the division title was well within reach.
The Phillies, the reigning NL pennant winners and likely postseason contenders as the current holders of the top NL wild-card spot, presented a formidable challenge. Their powerful hitters had surged in the second half of the season, ranking second in home runs since the All-Star break, trailing only the Braves, who also led in home runs during the first half. The Braves were even on pace to potentially set a record for the most team home runs in a season.
Last October, it was in Philadelphia that the reigning champion Braves were eliminated in the Division Series. As the series in Philly got underway, some Braves players already had their sights set on an off day in Miami as an opportunity to celebrate the NL East title with their families. With just three more wins required, the team that had held sole possession of first place since the fourth game of the season could revel in their success. Even in the superstitious world of baseball, it seemed that the Braves had transcended any jinxes at this point in the season.
On Wednesday, the Braves sealed the deal with a 4-1 victory over the Phillies, allowing them to break out the goggles and champagne. This marked Atlanta’s sixth consecutive NL East title and their MLB-leading 26th in franchise history. What’s particularly daunting for the rest of the division and the entire sport is that this could be just the beginning of their reign.
The defining characteristic of these Braves, aside from their exceptional baseball prowess, is their propensity to sign players to long-term extensions, often early in their careers. While this approach carries some risk, such as potential injuries or performance decline, the Braves’ extensions have not only provided cost certainty but also a high level of guaranteed success.
Currently, the top eight position players for the Braves, including stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, are signed through at least 2025, with only Marcell Ozuna exceeding 30 years of age. The top five players are under contract through at least 2028.
The team’s ace pitcher by fWAR, Spencer Strider, who is only 24 years old, is signed through 2029. Strider, a Cy Young contender, played a crucial role in the Braves’ division-clinching victory.
While the Braves have surpassed the competitive balance tax threshold for the first time in team history this year, the Phillies and the New York Mets, their division rivals, boast larger payrolls with less success to show for it. Looking ahead, the Braves’ contract commitments are more manageable, positioning them for continued success.
By 2026, the Braves’ contractual obligations rank third in MLB, trailing only the Yankees and Padres. The difference is that while those teams face the need for roster overhauls to return to the playoffs, the Braves can maintain their current course.
Of course, past seasons have seen teams maintain regular-season success but struggle to establish dynasty status in the postseason. The Dodgers, for example, have secured their 10th division title in 11 years but have only won one World Series during that span. The Braves’ previous five NL East titles led to just one World Series appearance.
However, Wednesday’s division clinch is only the initial step in determining whether the Braves’ dominance, currently on pace for 106 wins, will define the 2023 MLB season or become part of another team’s narrative. While players and coaches acknowledge the challenges ahead, the league should take notice, as this same formidable Braves roster is set to return for years to come, potentially shaping the future of baseball.
